Abu Hamza concerns raised by Her Majesty The Queen

[Windsor]

The Queen voiced concerns to the previous government about the inability of UK authorities to arrest Abu Hamza al-Masri, the BBC has learned.

The BBC's Frank Gardner says the Queen told him she had spoken to a home secretary about the issue.

On Monday, a European Court of Human Rights ruling paved the way for the radical cleric to be extradited to the US after an eight-year battle.

The Home Office said the extradition would happen "as quickly as possible".

Our correspondent said the Queen had been upset that there was no way to arrest the radical cleric and spoke to the then home secretary to ask why somebody who appeared to be inciting violence and hatred was still at large.

BBC News - Abu Hamza concerns raised by Queen

[cinrit]

The Queen's Wisdom Is best Kept Private

We have been given a rare glimpse of Her Majesty's steadfastness over 60 turbulent years

The revelations that the Queen was concerned that Abu Hamza was still at large in Britain, and that she consulted the home secretary about it, are hardly earth-shattering. Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, reported the fact: it would be interesting to know how and when the Queen told him. No one, least of all Gardner, is suggesting that she summoned him to the Palace to vouchsafe her views. They were, presumably, made in informal conversation when he was presented to her, possibly at a media reception or on a visit to the corporation.

It's good to know that the BBC yesterday acknowledged its mistake and apologised. On such occasions the Chatham House Rule applies: participants are free to use information received, but the identity or affiliation of the source may not be revealed. The Queen may well be irritated that these remarks have been made public. They do her no discredit, mind you, as they do not indicate that she was wielding undue political influence.

The Queen’s wisdom is best kept private - Telegraph 

Cindy

[cinrit]

BBC Apologises to the Queen for Abu Hamza Disclosure

An unscripted Today programme revelation about the Queen's hostility to the radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri forced the BBC into making an embarrassing apology to Buckingham Palace for breaching royal protocol.

Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, prompted the early morning crisis by reporting on Radio 4's flagship news programme that the Queen had told him she was aghast that Abu Hamza, who faces imminent extradition to the US, could not be arrested during the period when he aired vehemently anti-British views as imam of Finsbury Park mosque in north London.

With the tacit approval of director-general George Entwistle, in only his second week in the job, the BBC's director of news, Helen Boaden, swiftly authorised the release of a statement of apology that was highly critical of the journalist. Gardner – who corporation insiders said was contrite shortly after the broadcast – penned a personal apology to the palace.

BBC apologises to the Queen for Abu Hamza disclosure | Media | The Guardian 

Cindy

[Jenee]

The Queen's Abu Hamza intervention could have serious consequences | Tony Wright | Comment is free | The Guardian

Royal privacy: 2-1 to the Windsors (with one own goal for Harry) | UK news | guardian.co.uk

There's a good reason for the Queen keeping her political opinions – they are probably patrician liberal Tory ones of the old school – to herself and for others to do the same. Unlike wannabe president Mitt Romney, who wants to govern for 53% of Americans, she's all our Queen, whether we like it or not, and vocal opinions are bound to offend.