Cleric's attack on Shuttle victim

Abdullah el-Faisal denies the charges

A man accused of preaching hate has criticised the Jewish astronaut who died in the Columbia shuttle disaster.

Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal, 39, said Israeli Ilan Ramon should not have been working on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.

He told an Old Bailey jury that this was a "splendid example of Jewish deceitfulness".

Mr Ramon was among seven flight crew who perished as the shuttle broke up on Saturday.

'Sabbath work'

Mr el-Faisal, 39, from Stratford, east London, added: "They were told not to work on the Saturday - that is their law. Even the astronaut tried to go to the skies on Saturday."

The cleric, who is accused of soliciting murder, was trying to explain one of his talks entitled: "Reasons not to make peace with the Jews".

Mr el-Faisal denies five charges of soliciting the murder of Jews, Americans and Hindus.

He further denies four charges of using threatening words to stir up racial hatred, possessing tapes of them and distributing them.

Tapes of his talks to study circles around the country were sold at specialist shops, the court was told.

The prosecution allege the Muslim convert went beyond his role as a spiritual guide to preach his own racist views.

The hearing continues.