Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

French government moots law change to expel radical imam Hassan Iquioussen

Moroccan-national Iquioussen, 58, has lived all his life in France.

French government moots law change to expel radical imam Hassan Iquioussen

France is determined to expel radical imam Hassan Iquioussen who is accused of antisemitism, a minister has said. He added that the country will change the law for it.

Home minister Gérald Darmanin described Iquioussen as an enemy of France, adding that he has no place in the country, the Times reported. 


Moroccan-national Iquioussen, 58, has lived all his life in France, where he has five children and 15 grandchildren.

An administrative court in Paris on Friday (5) suspended a deportation order against the imam. The French government had accused him of promoting hate and posing a threat to society, the tribunal's ruling showed.

The court ordered the home minister to re-examine Iquioussen's case within three months and return his residency permit.

In its ruling, it said deportation to Morocco would be "a serious and manifestly disproportionate interference with his right to lead a normal private and family life" as laid out by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Iquioussen's lawyer Lucie Simon welcomed the outcome. In a statement, she said his past remarks had not been "an explicit provocation to hatred, however regrettable."

The imam’s legal victory was an embarrassment to Macron’s cabinet. Now, the government plans an appeal against the injunction before the State Council, France’s highest administrative court.

The minister hopes to get a favourable ruling, but if it were rejected again, he would change the law to expel Iquioussen anyway.

It was revealed that intelligence agencies had put Iquioussen on a watchlist of allegedly dangerous radicals 18 months ago.

The ministry ordered the expulsion order against the preacher in July for "inciting hate, discrimination and violence", notably against the Jewish community.

President Macron's government has toughened laws to tackle what it sees as broader signs of radicalisation - often non-violent - within Muslim communities. It has cited the refusal of some Muslim men to shake women's hands, young girls being told to wear full-face veils and the proliferation of Madrassa religious schools.

The accusations of stirring hate as well as anti-Semitism and sexism stem from comments in public addresses between 2003 and 2019.

He developed a wide following for his preachings in mosques as well as online to 174,000 YouTube followers and 44,000 Facebook followers at a time France has suffered waves of Islamist militant attacks and become increasingly nervous about the perceived threat from Islamist separatism.

The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday (4) rejected a request to suspend the deportation.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navroop Singh

Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

Man jailed for life over rape and attempted rape in west London

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.

Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Keep ReadingShow less