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HAVE YOUR SAY

SHOULD WE LET LAWYERS ACT AS A MOUTHPIECE FOR EXTREMISTS?

Arani represented preacher Abu Hamza

Saturday April 26,2008

By Cyril Dixon

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(133)

A CONTROVERSIAL lawyer faces being struck off after it emerged yesterday she had spoken at a secret rally for Islamic extremists.

Mudassar Arani, infamous for representing hook-handed preacher Abu Hamza, appeared with an aide of exiled hate cleric Omar Bakri.

Last night furious politicians demanded that the legal authorities take immediate action against the self-styled champion of Islamic rights.

Ms Arani could be struck off if she is found to have breached professional conduct rules.

Tory MP Patrick Mercer, said: “She has compromised her position time and time again – this time in quite an outrageous fashion.

“I believe she should consider her position and if she doesn’t, there should be an investigation into whether her conduct is consistent with that of a practising solicitor.”

Mr Mercer, a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee and a former Army officer, added: “I just can’t see how in any way, shape or form she can be regarded as objective.”

Labour MP Andrew Dismore said: “As a solicitor myself, I would point out that there is a clear distinction between doing the best for your client – as is your job – and acting as a mouthpiece for their political views.

“The Law Society ought really to be looking at her conduct in the light of its disciplinary code.”

At the rally, Ms Arani was filmed sharing the platform with Bakri’s British-based spokesman Anjem Choudary, who tells the gathering of 100 fanatics that an Islamic flag will one day fly over the White House and Downing Street.

The hajib-wearing lawyer is seen speaking out for Dhiren Barot, her client jailed for a minimum of 30 years after plotting a devastating “dirty bomb” attack.

She reads out a message from him saying: “No matter what they do to me, no matter how much they punish me, my deen (beliefs) will not be driven from me. I will remain strong.”

Do YOU think we should let lawyers act as a voice for extremists? Should the legal authorities take immediate action?

*** HAVE YOUR SAY NOW! ***

PEDRO AND CFB

08.06.08, 10:58am

You both completetly missed the point of the question.........

• Posted by: Eltorro • Report Comment

PEDRO

12.05.08, 11:24am

i have to say, i like this pedro person. one of the few on here who makes sense and sees through the endless BS on this site.

well done pedro...

• Posted by: crayfishbanker • Report Comment

SHOULD WE LET LAWYERS ACT AS A MOUTHPIECE FOR EXTREMISTS?

12.05.08, 12:41am

What a stupid question. If "lawyers" don't who will? Estate agents? Fishmongers? Nah... Lawyers are the best suited to act as mouthpieces as mouthpieces. If I was a terrorist in need of a mouithpiece I'd go for a lawyer every time.

(And shouldn't that be "solicitors" rather than "Lawyers"? Too much american t.v. for that headline writer I think),

• Posted by: Meyhico_Pedro • Report Comment

LAWYERS FOR EXTREMISTS?

09.05.08, 7:31pm

As long as the failure of their Defence keeps putting them in jail then YES YES YES.

• Posted by: Flyer • Report Comment

TAMIL TIGERS

09.05.08, 11:32am

I don't think we will have much of a problem with the LTTE over here, as their agenda is to take over the beautiful island of Ceylon. In my opinion, the Tigers are bullies as they are picking on a relatively peaceful population comprising mainly of Buddhists. (Look at Tibet)

It just goes to show that the country who turns their swords into plowshares, end up plowing for the country with swords.

• Posted by: Zeigfreid • Report Comment