Abu Hamza, the controversial Muslim cleric threatened with expulsion from the north London mosque where he preaches, last night responded to charges that his extremist views were inciting religious hatred and Islamist terrorism. Criticised by the Charity Commission for “inflammatory and highly political” speeches during prayers, Mr Hamza protested that if the Archbishop of Canterbury had a right to discuss war on Iraq, then he should be free to comment on the war on terror, in answer to threats to remove him as the main cleric of the North London Central Mosque in Finsbury Park. Last night he confirmed he had met a deadline to explain a disrepute charge levelled at him. The commission is expected to spend the next fortnight deciding on whether or not to dislodge him from his position. Full Story