Anjem Choudary was found guilty of terrorism offences after signing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State and openly supporting its regime

Europe’s most prolific hate preacher is finally behind bars after inspiring a generation of jihadist fighters and dozens of terrorist murders.

Anjem Choudary, who mocked British efforts to bring him to justice for two decades, was found guilty of terrorism offences after signing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State and openly supporting its regime. He faces up to ten years in jail.

The conviction was heralded as a seismic moment in the fight against terrorism as Choudary’s links to 15 plots in Britain and hundreds of foreign fighters were revealed. They include a masked murderer who has been described as the replacement for Mohammed Emwazi, known as Jihadi John. It prompted questions, however, over why it took so long to bring him to justice.