PM quizzed over cleric's UK entry

The cleric's supporters regard him as a moderating voice Tony Blair is under pressure to ban from Britain a controversial Muslim cleric due to speak at several events. Egyptian-born Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks and supporting suicide bombers.

Tory leader Michael Howard demanded to know why the cleric had not been refused entry to the UK, but Mr Blair said any exclusion must be lawful.

In an exclusive interview for BBC 2's Newsnight, Dr Al-Qarawadi claimed Islam justified suicide bombings.

However, the Muslim Council of Britain, which has accused sections of the media of conducting a "character assassination" campaign against Dr Al-Qaradawi, said its view was that suicide attacks were not allowed by Islam.

During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Howard asked whether Mr Blair agreed that someone who "backs child suicide bombings and is banned from the US because of his alleged terrorist links" should be allowed into the country.

Mr Blair said Home Secretary David Blunkett had "already indicated we will keep this under very strict review", but said there were rules that had to be applied.

"We have to be sure that if someone is excluded from this country, they are excluded in a way that is lawful."

In an interview with Wednesday's BBC Newsnight, Mr Al-Qaradawi claims suicide bombings were "martyrdom in the name of God".

He said: "It is allowed to jeopardise your soul and cross the path of the enemy and be killed, if this act of jeopardy affects the enemy, even if it only generates fear in their hearts, shaking their morale, making them fear Muslims.

On the killing of women and children in Israel, he says: "Israeli women are not like women in our society because Israeli women are militarised."

He says Allah has "given the weak what the strong do not possess and that is the ability to turn their bodies into bombs like the Palestinians do".

Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said his organisation could not comment on the interpretation of Islam by Muslims around the world.

However, he added: "Our view is very clear. We are guided by Islamic scholars and it is very clear that British Muslims are not allowed to carry out suicide bombings."

The Commons row came just hours after Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart withdrew her support of a Muslim women's conference next week because Mr Al-Qaradawi is guest of honour.

But the Muslim Association of Britain, which is hosting Dr Al-Qaradawi, regards him as a moderating voice.

Inayat Bunglawala, a spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain, echoed this view.

He said: "Dr Al-Qaradawi is deeply respected by millions of Muslims around the world.

"He has been a consistent opponent of the extremism espoused by al-Qaeda and similar groups, and has regularly denounced the killing of innocent people in the 11 September attacks."

The Muslim Association of Britain website said Dr Al-Qaradawi would be in London for a week-long visit during which he would take part in a number of functions.

That included chairing the European Council of Fatwa and Research, which will open under the auspices of Mayor Ken Livingston at the Greater London Assembly in London on Wednesday, it said.

"In an interview Mr Al-Qaradawi claims suicide bombings were "martyrdom in the name of God"."

"he says: "Israeli women are not like women in our society because Israeli women are militarised."

"the Muslim Association of Britain, which is hosting Dr Al-Qaradawi, regards him as a moderating voice."

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