As families in Russia mourn the deaths of more than 300 men, women and children -- victims of Muslim terrorists -- a Syrian-born Muslim "cleric" living in Britain says that the "tactic" is acceptable.

An extremist Islamic cleric based in Britain said yesterday that he would support hostage-taking at British schools if carried out by terrorists with a just cause.

Omar Bakri Mohammed, the spiritual leader of the extremist sect al-Muhajiroun, said that holding women and children hostage would be a reasonable course of action for a Muslim who has suffered under British rule.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Mohammed said: "If an Iraqi Muslim carried out an attack like that in Britain, it would be justified because Britain has carried out acts of terrorism in Iraq.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but for a Muslim "leader" to condone these sorts of vicious atrocities is the same as yelling "fire" in a crowded theater.

And that massacre last week is all the fault of the Russians, according to this "cleric".

"The Mujahideen [Chechen rebels] would not have wanted to kill those people, because it is strictly forbidden as a Muslim to deliberately kill women and children. It is the fault of the Russians," he said.

And this guy is instructing Muslims in Britain? Talk about the enemy within. The authorities should not be surprised if last week's tragedy in Russia has an encore in Britain.