Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, today invited a controversial Muslim cleric back to Britain for another speaking tour despite the vociferous protests of gay and Jewish groups.

Mr Livingstone gave Yusuf al-Qaradawi a bear hug, a handshake and a warm smile after he visited City Hall for a conference on the wearing of the hijab, the traditional Muslim head dress for women.

Mr Livingstone ignored the protestors outside and said it would be an "honour" to invite Dr al-Qaradawi back to Britain for a three-day conference in October.

More than 250 European Muslim delegates broke into applause at the invitation, and its provisional acceptance.

Dr al-Qaradawi has been criticised for describing suicide bombers as "martyrs", and for his views on homosexuals and women.

He and Mr Livingstone were sharing a platform at a City Hall conference on an Islamic woman’s right to wear the hijab head-dress.

Dr al-Qaradawi said he "welcomed" the invitation to attend the European Social Forum, a collection of thousands of voluntary and faith groups from across Europe, at Alexander Palace.

Speaking through an interpreter he said: "I would like this invitation. I would hope to meet him (Mr Livingstone) again."

Mr Livingstone said: "On behalf of the people of London, I would like to apologise to the Sheikh for the outburst of xenophobia in sections of the media.

"It is not the first time it has happened. Many of us have been victims of this in the past when the press write speeches that were not made from a meeting you never attended."

Mr Livingstone also rounded on Michael Howard, the Tory leader, and the press, whom he accused of stoking up alarm over the Qatar-based cleric's visit.

Ignorance and political point-scoring had fuelled the "hysteria", Mr Livingstone insisted.

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