PRESSURE was intensifying on ministers last night to live up to their promised crackdown on Islamic fanatics by charging or deporting a Saudi radical who backs the killing of British soldiers in Iraq.

MPs from all parties and several foreign governments have demanded action against Muhammad al-Massari, who has asylum in Britain . His radio station, al-Tajdeed, backs suicide attacks and his website shows the beheadings of Western hostages.

This month Dr al-Massari named four Italian cities that are targets for terror strikes.

Britain has previously tried to deport him but the courts intervened to prevent him being sent back to Saudi Arabia.

After banning Omar Bakri Mohammed from Britain and arresting Abu Qatada, both clerics, the Government needs another target to show that it is serious about dealing with the so-called preachers of hate.

Dr al-Massari, who has lived in Britain since 1994, shows footage on his website of a suicide bomb attack on a British checkpoint in Iraq in which three Black Watch soldiers were killed. He carries messages from al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden, and there is a guide to urban warfare for potential terrorists.

Despite Charles Clarke’s promise that tougher immigration rules will be in force by next week, Home Office officials concede that these are unlikely to affect Dr al-Massari as Saudi Arabia is not among the countries signing a deal to take deported fanatics.

But they suggest that the police and Crown Prosecution Service could take action against Dr al-Massari under laws for direct incitement to commit a violent or criminal act.

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