UK seeks powers to close mosques

Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced controversial proposals that give the police powers to close mosques, which fail to comply with an order to prevent them from being used to forment extremism.

Releasing his proposals by way of a consultation paper, Clarke also made clear his determination to bring in other tough new powers already put forward, including extending the maximum pre-charge detention for terror suspects from two weeks to three months.

"The UK is facing a real and continuing terrorist threat, and it is vital that we do everything in our power to tackle those who would seek to strike at the heart of our society, to destroy what we hold dear," he said.

Under the proposals, he said he was considering creating a legal process whereby those controlling places of worship can be required by a court order to take steps to stop "certain extremist behaviour" occurring.

But regardless of whether a person is successfully prosecuted for failure to comply with the order, Clarke said that a further order could still be issued restricting the use of the place of worship,including temporary closure.