Anjem Choudary claims he would renounce British citizenship and live under Isis rule

But only if British government grants London-born lawyer safe passage - and the return of his passport

Radical cleric Anjem Choudray has claimed he would renounce his British citizenship and live under the rule of Isis, if the government would grant him safe passage.

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In an interview with the Times the radical preacher claims that if he had his passport he would have already travelled to areas in Syria or Iraq presently controlled by the militant Islamic organisation Isis, also known as the Islamic State.
In response Keith Vaz, chairman of the Common home affairs select committee, said: “If he wants to go, he should be allowed to go. I think that would be a much better scenario than having him stay.
“Why should the Home Office or anyone else give him safe passage? He must take the consequences if he is propagating the views of Isis,” Mr Vaz said. “I think people would like to see the back of him.”
Anjem Choudary refused to condemn Lee Rigby's murder However, the London-born preacher, who trained as a lawyer, cannot leave the country because the Home Office has confiscated his passport.
“I believe the world belongs to God and that one day, hopefully, the UK will be part of an Islamic State. Why shouldn’t I be free to travel to the Khalifah [caliphate] and see what life is like under the Sharia?” Mr Choudary asked.

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The 47-year-old’s passport was seized in September after he was arrested on suspicion of being a member of a banned organisation. He was released on bail with strict conditions. He denies any wrong-doing.
“If the Home Office give me back my passport, I could start making plans straight away because I would love to bring up my children under Sharia law. I could do a farewell press conference at Heathrow Airport.
“The only thing is that I do not think I should have to give up my passport to do this," he said in remarks to IBT UK.
Although he denies any communication with individuals living under Isis’s rule, he claims the CPS need to clarify the legality of the decision facing those who travel to Syria or Iraq, adding that he would only renounce his British citizenship "as a last resort".
In the past Mr Choudray has made it clear it would support the implementation of Sharia law, claiming he supports the cutting off of hands and public executions for criminals or anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad.
The conditions he was placed under following his arrest mean he cannot travel abroad or associate with nine friends who were also arrested. He also claims he has been prevented from leafleting and preaching in public.

Video: Anjem  Choudary speaking in 2013

It is not the first time he has made the boast, although it is the most explicit yet. In remarks made to the Daily Star in June of this year Mr Choudray said although it was too dangerous presently, if the situation improved “then of course it is somewhere I would love to live with my family and children.”