Abu Izzadeen, the radical Muslim who barracked Home Secretary John Reid last year, has been arrested for allegedly encouraging terrorism.

It is understood to relate to a speech he gave in Birmingham last year. That speech pre-dated the widely publicised incident in September when Izzadeen heckled Mr Reid as he addressed a 30-strong group of Muslims in Leyton.

Radical Muslim leader Anjem Choudhury responded to news of his arrest by saying that Muslims were now the subject of a "witchhunt".

Mr Choudhury said: "The Muslim community are subject to a witch hunt and I see this as a continuation of that witch hunt by the Blair regime."

He said he believed Izzadeen’s arrest related to a speech he gave at the Small Heath Youth and Community Centre in Birmingham ahead of the first anniversary of the July 7 attacks last year.

Izzadeen allegedly praised the July 7 bombers and mocked victims of suicide attacks while speaking at the council-owned centre, according to reports.

He is a well-known Islamic extremist who came to public prominence after refusing to condemn the 7/7 London bombings. Instead, he described the attacks as "mujahideen activity" which would make people "wake up and smell the coffee".

Inayat Bunglawala, assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Abu Izzadeen is a character who has made some incendiary remarks in the past. He is someone who the mainstream Muslim community has kept at a distance because of his attempts to create mischief.

"This arrest does not come as a surprise to many, I expect, however he is entitled to a fair trial and if police believe he has broken any laws he is entitled to due process.

"I think there will be some cynicism about the timing of this arrest, coming 24 hours after two men arrested last week were released without charge."

In September last year, Izzadeen hijacked Mr Reid’s attempt to connect with British Muslims. Amid anger over Mr Reid’s call for Muslim parents to look out for the signs of brain-washing in their children in the fight against terrorism, Izzadeen interrupted the Home Secretary and launched into an angry tirade.

"How dare you come to a Muslim area when over 1,000 Muslims have been arrested?" he said. "You are an enemy of Islam and Muslims, you are a tyrant. Shame on all of us for sitting down and listening to him.

"State terrorism by British police."

Continuing his diatribe, Izzadeen said Mr Reid, Tony Blair and George Bush could "all go to hell".

Izzadeen, also known as Omar Brooks, is said to be a former spokesman for the radical Islamic group al-Ghurabaa, an offshoot of al-Muhajiroun - both of which are now banned in the UK.

Earlier this week, ITV News claimed to have obtained a clip from a password protected website showing Izzadeen at Regents Park Mosque in the summer of 2004, calling for the beheading of any Muslim who joins the British Army.

Yesterday’s arrest did not relate to this news broadcast, police said.