Home Office to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir as terror group

One of the most controversial Islamist groups in the UK, Hizb ut-Tahrir, is to be banned as a terrorist organisation, accused of praising the Hamas attacks.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said the group was "antisemitic" and "actively promotes and encourages terrorism".

The ban under UK terrorism laws comes after followers were accused of chanting "jihad" at a pro-Gaza rally.

It is an international organisation long active in the UK, but it has always denied links to violence.

The banning order was laid before Parliament on Monday and will come into force on Friday, unless it is voted down.

That means that anyone belonging to, inviting support for or displaying material which shows public support for the group will be breaking the law.

There has been no comment yet from its British leadership.

Last October, followers organised a rally in support of Palestinians parallel to the much larger official pro-Gaza marches.

A video of the sparsely-attended rally on 21 October showed a man chanting "jihad" and Scotland Yard later said it would take no further action.

The word ordinarily means an inner struggle for justice, under traditional Islamic theology, but is also regularly used as a call for holy war by terrorist groups.

Announcing the banning order, Mr Cleverly said: "Hizb ut-Tahrir is an antisemitic organisation that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks.

"Proscribing this terrorist group will ensure that anyone who belongs to and invites supports for them will face consequences. It will curb Hizb ut-Tahrir's ability to operate as it currently does."