Police clash at mosque protest

Right-wing protesters waving Union f lags clashed with police and Muslims during prayers outside Finsbury Park mosque today.

About 20 men from the United British Alliance group shouted anti-Muslim slogans and sang Rule Britannia.

Supporters of militant cleric Abu Hamza had gathered outside Finsbury Park mosque for the first time since his arrest.

Police launched a massive security operation as about 20 members of the UBA launched a counter-demonstration.

Around 60 officers tried to keep the two sides

apart as the Rightists shouted abuse from behind crash barriers 50 yards away.

Muslim groups were planning to gather outside the US embassy in Grosvenor Square to demand the release of Hamza. In his absence prayers were led by a cleric known as Abdul Abdullah.

Local police commander, Chief Superintendent Barry Norman, said he wanted the street prayers to end but "by negotiation, not confrontation".

Eight police vans were parked around the corner from Finsbury Park Tube station.