A Home Office minister has withdrawn her support for a Muslim women's event because a firebrand cleric is guest of honour.
Fiona Mactaggart vowed not to send a personal message to Monday's Hijab Conference in London amid growing anger over the visit of controversial Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
Home Secretary David Blunkett was asked earlier this week to ban the Egyptian from entering Britain because of his provocative views, including alleged support of suicide bombers and the beating of women.
Ms Mactaggart was not due to attend the conference, on Muslim women's dress and issues and hosted by the Greater London Authority, but had planned to send a message.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "She will not be sending them a message of support. She is dismayed that a good cause has been turned into a broader political issue by having him (al-Qaradawi) as guest of honour.
"If it had been made clear from the outset that he was guest of honour, the minister would not have agreed to send a message of support. She continues to support the campaign."
Al-Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood organisation, arrived in London on Monday, the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) said. He is due to attend a series of events including two hosted by the GLA during his week-long visit.
On Monday, Labour MP Louise Ellman said she had written to Mr Blunkett, saying it would be "an outrage" to allow the cleric into this country. She said al-Qaradawi, who is based in Doha, Qatar, had praised Palestine suicide bombers and had been banned from entering the United States since 1999.
She claimed he encouraged women and children suicide bombers, sought the destruction of Israel, believed husbands could beat "disobedient" wives, was a major shareholder in a bank alleged to be part of al Qaida's fundraising network, and was spiritual leader "of the largest and oldest Islamist extremist movement".
Mrs Ellman said: "It would be an
outrage if someone with such close links to these movements were allowed
to come here. It would create enormous security problems at a very sensitive
time."