Clarke angered by warning on rights.

Byline: By Gavin Cordon

Home Secretary Charles Clarke reacted with anger yesterday as a United Nations official warned that Britain's plans to deport foreign Islamic extremists breached its international human rights obligations.

The clash came as Mr Clarke said he would start deporting the so-called "preachers of hate" within days under the Government's new list of "unacceptable behaviours".

The list includes the expression of views which "foment, justify or glorify" terrorism, or which "foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK".

Mr Clarke said the measures were necessary to counter the "real and significant" terrorist threat facing the UK after the London suicide bombings on July 7.

The Government was accused by the UN's special rapporteur on torture, Manfred Nowak, of trying to circumvent its duty not to deport people to countries where they could face torture or abuse.

He urged ministers to drop plans to seek memorandums of understanding with some North African and Middle East states that individuals sent there would not be tortured.

The Home Secretary retorted that the UN was too preoccupied with the human rights of terrorists.

"The human rights of those people who were blown up on the Tube in London on July 7 are, to be quite frank, more important than the human rights of the people who committed those acts," he said.

"It is a balance, of course, and I acknowledge that there are real issues that have to be addressed, but I wish the UN would look at human rights in the round rather than simply focusing all the time on the terrorist."

Lawyers predict a legal battle if the Government tries to deport people to countries where there is considered to be a risk of torture. Tony Blair has said he will amend the Human Rights Act if necessary. The list of "unacceptable behaviours" does not give the Government new powers, but is intended to clarify when ministers can and should act.

Mr Clarke said he intended to move "very quickly" to begin deportations and exclude people from the UK.

The list covers the expression of views which foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in pursuit of beliefs; provoke others to commit terrorist acts; foment serious criminal activity; or foster hatred which could lead to "inter-community violence" here. It covers writing, producing, publishing or distributing such material; public speaking, including preaching; running a website; or using a "position of responsibility", such as a teacher or a youth or community leader.

Mr Clarke said: "These powers are not intended to stifle free speech or legitimate debate about religions or other issues."

The measures were broadly backed by opposition parties. Legal director of civil rights group Liberty, James Welch, said: "What has always separated us from the terrorists is that we do not torture people or send them to be tortured ( that is the standard we need to maintain."

Secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain Sir Iqbal Sacranie said: "Sending them out may turn them into unwanted heroes who may then be free to export their vile thoughts, if such be the case, from exile."

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the rules could, in the past, have excluded Nelson Mandela from Britain.