UK govt reveals deportation rules

Charles Clarke issued the list of "unacceptable behaviour" by those said to indirectly threaten public order, national security, or the rule of law.

The grounds, drawn up after the 7 July London bombings, include provoking and glorifying terrorism. But civil liberty groups fear deportees could be tortured in their homelands.

After the attacks in London, which killed 52 people, "the rules of the game" changed, according to Clarke.

He ordered an immediate review of his powers to exclude and deport people, saying he wanted to ensure that any non-British citizen suspected of inciting terrorism was deported immediately.

Publishing the results of that review he said the first deportations could happen "very quickly - in the next few days".

"Individuals who seek to create fear, distrust and division in order to stir up terrorist activity will not be tolerated by the government or by our communities," said Clarke.

"By publishing the list today I make it absolutely clear that these are unacceptable behaviours and will be the grounds for deporting and excluding such individuals from the UK."

As part of a raft of measures to crack down on "preachers of intolerance and hatred", a new database will be drawn up of foreign-born radicals accused of encouraging acts of terrorism.

The global database will list those who face automatic vetting before being allowed into the UK.

It will also list "unacceptable behaviour", such as radical preaching and publishing websites and articles intended to foment terrorism.

Articles already published, as well as speeches or sermons already made, will be covered by the new rules. A number of radical Islamic clerics could fall foul of the new measures.

Less than a week after the controversial cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed left Britain for Lebanon, Clarke announced he would not be allowed back.

Others who could come under scrutiny include Mohammed al-Massari, the Saudi Arabian dissident whose website carried images of attacks on British troops in Iraq.

The government is still seeking assurances from several countries that no-one it deports will be ill-treated, but critics say such agreements are worthless and anyone suspected of supporting terrorism should be put on trial in this country.