The Glasgow Taliban

HOME secretary John Reid had what the Daily Mail calls “a dramatic confrontation with two preachers of hate” during his visit to East London yesterday.

Things didn’t look good when a young Muslim held up signs saying “John Reid go to hell”, but Reid resisted the urge to quip “I think I just have” and delivered a no-nonsense message about the need to combat extremism.

This didn’t go down too well with the extremist community. Indeed, Dr Reid was met by “a tirade from notorious extremists Anjem Choudary and Abu Izzadeen”.

Reid was undeterred, however. “Believe it or not, I have actually enjoyed it,” he said afterwards.

Fighting talk from the pugnacious Scot, and we would expect nothing less. But what of the notorious extremists?

The Mail helpfully fills us in on Mr Choudary, under the headline “Man who said: Kill the Pope”. And it turns out that “the right-hand man of hate cleric Omar Bakri”, has a more colourful past than one might expect. Indeed, he “is said by contemporaries to have smoked cannabis and drunk alcohol as a student”.

Anorak can reveal more. Our sources tell us that after a hard week’s rabble-rousing, Choudary likes nothing more than to board an inter-city train to Glasgow with a few cans of heavy and bunch of like-minded pals.

Before long, “Imam Blue Nose” (as he is known to his mates) is striking up the opening notes of The Sash on his penny whistle and the air is thick with cries of “Kill the Pope”.

“Ibrox is my spiritual home,” he cries tearfully, to wild agreement from the Rangers faithful. “Ally be praised.”

Take note, please, Dr Reid.

Posted: 21st, September 2006 | In: Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink