CALLS by an extremist cleric for young British Muslims to join al-Qaeda and become martyrs for the jihad are being investigated by Scotland Yard’s Anti-Terrorist Branch.

Detectives began a new inquiry into the activities of Omar Bakri Mohammed yesterday after details of his inflammatory internet sermons were disclosed by The Times.

Mr Bakri Mohammed, 46, has been using webcasts to address his followers nightly, espousing his view that Britain has become Dar ul-Harb (land of war) for the Muslim community. He pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden and told his listeners that they were “obliged” to join al-Qaeda and the Mujahidin.

In one broadcast he said: “The market of jihad has been opened, now all we need is the people who are the merchandise, the ones who want to buy jennah (paradise) ...

“If you cannot do it physically, do it verbally, do it financially, but do it.”

The Syrian-born cleric, who disbanded his al-Muhajiroun movement last year, is using communication software called PalTalk to broadcast what amount to mini-conferences about the global political situation. He takes written questions from his listeners, who number between 60 and 70.

Police and the security services are now expected to step up their monitoring of Mr Bakri Mohammed’s webcasts. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We routinely monitor the activities of a range of individuals and groups and will investigate any evidence of criminal activity.”

The Home Office, which has the power to detain Mr Bakri Mohammed as a foreign terror suspect, said that his words were being closely watched by the security services. The preacher, who has lived in the UK on state benefits since 1986, was also condemned by the Muslim Council of Britain.

“He has been banned from most mosques and that is why he is now using an internet chatroom,” said Inayat Bunglawala, for the council.

“If the police and the CPS decide to prosecute him for contravening the law on inciting violence, he will get no sympathy from the Muslim community . . . This man has spent his 20 years in Britain contributing to the demonisation of British Muslims. He has been a gift to the likes of the BNP.”

Political pressure is mounting for the Home Office to take action against Mr Bakri Mohammed. Andrew Dismore, the Labour MP for Hendon, said that Mr Bakri Mohammed’s rhetoric may have broken laws on incitement and that he had written to Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, and Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Patrick Mercer MP, Conservative spokesman on homeland security, has said that he would raise the issue in Parliament.

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