Hate cleric loses extradition bid

6:28pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza, who was jailed for stirring up religious hatred, has been refused permission to appeal to the House of Lords over a decision to extradite him to America on alleged terrorism charges.

Senior judge Sir Igor Judge refused to certify that his case raised a point of law of public importance to go before the law lords, the highest court in the land.

The Egypt-born preacher from west London still has to complete serving a seven-year jail term in Britain for inciting murder and race hate.

The US authorities want him to face trial on charges which include providing support to al Qaida.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith formally approved the extradition in February.

His lawyers have been fighting his extradition since the US authorities first applied for him to be sent for trial in May, 2004.