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A BIRMINGHAM Muslim councillor has stepped up security after receiving chilling threats from terrorist Humza Ali - after giving evidence against him at court.

Hodge Hill councillor Majid Mahmood has feared for his and his family’s safety after agreeing to appear as a prosecution witness in the case at Birmingham Crown Court.

The Labour council cabinet member was even warned to avoid public appearances.

And council bosses have provided him with extra security during recent public meetings - including Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

The court heard that Mr Mahmood, who is also a solicitor, was sent a series of threatening and abusive messages by Ali via social media sites WhatsApp and Facebook.

One in Urdu and English read: “Watch out. You non-believer. Rot in hell you pig.” In another, sent during the 2015 general election campaign, he was told: “You should leave democracy and accept Islam”.

The abuse peaked around the 2015 and 2016 spring elections when Cllr Mahmood was out campaigning in the community.

Now following the case, Mr Mahmood said: “This has been a very harrowing time for myself and my family. I would like to place on record my thanks to West Midlands Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, my family, friends and the Labour Party for their support especially during the last few weeks of the trial.”

And in a message to the wider city he said: “Humza Ali is not representative of the Muslim community in Birmingham. His views are not condoned or supported by the vast majority of Muslims.

“All of us have a duty, indeed a responsibility to work with the police to help in their fight against radicalisation on all fronts.

“I would therefore appeal to anyone in the community who is aware of someone who may have been radicalised to speak to the police immediately.”