PIERS Morgan blasted former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson for being a "bigoted lunatic stirring up hatred" as he clashed with the right-wing activist this morning.

As Robinson pulled out a copy of the Koran on Good Morning Britain, Piers blasted him, saying: "Show some damn respect for people's religious beliefs.

17 Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid grilled the right-wing activist Tommy Robinson on his views after he was slammed for his tweets after the Finsbury Park mosque attack Credit: Ruckas

17 Former EDL leader Robinson was blasted by Piers after he pulled out a Koran Credit: Ruckas

17 The debate descended into a furious row which Piers branding Robinson a bigoted lunatic Credit: Ruckas

17 Piers Morgan and Tommy Robinson went head to head in a furious debate on Good Morning Britain today

"You're sounding like a complete lunatic. You're sounding like a bigoted lunatic.

"You're stirring up hatred.

"You're being a complete disgrace."

Holding up the Koran, Robinson branded it a "violent and cursed book" and said: "This book is the reason we are in such a mess."

Piers responded: "We're in this mess because people take Islam, they are terrorists and they abuse the nature of Islam and... perpetrate evil."

And the former EDL leader refused to accept Islam was a religion, saying: "Islam is an idea - a bad idea."

Muslim community is expected to not give hate preachers platforms. Meanwhile, we'll happily put Tommy Robinson on #gmb — Mck (@MissEMackie) June 20, 2017

17 The former EDL leader was branded a 'complete disgrace' by Piers

Oh come on, Tommy Robinson was awful on #GMB. He's semi-eloquent as far as Islamophobes go, and absolutely nothing else. Still poisonous. — Louie Chandler (@ChandlerLouie) June 20, 2017

Viewers reacted with outrage at Robinson's views, while others also slammed GMB for inviting him on to speak and some criticised Morgan for repeatedly talking over him.

A viewer praised Morgan for his interview with the controversial man, saying: "Thought @piersmorgan was great this morning on #GMB in dealing with Tommy Robinson and his dangerous rhetoric in the current climate."

One outraged viewer wrote: "Muslim community is expected not to give hate preachers platforms. Meanwhile, we'll happily put Tommy Robinson on #gmb."

One person tweeted: "Pint sized Tommy Robinson is a hate preacher who, like Anjem Choudary, has endeavoured to make himself 'mainstream'. GMB has enabled him."

Another said: "The Tommy Robinson interview on @GMB was a joke. How is he suppose(sic) to answer the questions if @piersmorgan doesn't let him speak."

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Asked if he was Islamophobic, Robinson retorted: "There's no such word as Islamophobia. A phobia is an irrational fear, it's not irrational to fear these things."

Right-wing activist Robinson appeared on the show after being slammed for a tweet he posted yesterday accusing the Finsbury Park mosque where the attack happened of "creating terrorists" - just one hour after a group of Muslims were mowed down outside.

One man died and 10 were injured - including two seriously - in the horror attack outside the Muslim Welfare Centre in Seven Sisters Road just before 12.30am yesterday morning.

The 47-year-old driver, Cardiff dad-of-four Darren Osborne, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and terrorism offences.

Robinson branded it a "revenge attack", saying: "I've warned for yrs what u will create".

17 Darren Osborne was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack just before 12.30am on Monday

17 Osborne, a dad-of-four, was revealed as the man arrested following the horror van attack in north London

17 Police assist a woman caught up in the panic at Finsbury Park after a van was 'deliberately' driven at pedestrians Credit: Rex Features

17 Piers blasted Robinson for his comments about Islam, demanding he 'show respect'

In the heated show this morning, Piers played a clip of Robinson speaking at a rally in 2011 in which he said: "Every single Muslim watching this video on YouTube, on 7/7 you got away with killing and maiming British citizens."

Robinson hit back, accusing Piers of having an "agenda" by playing the video.

And in a bizarre rant, Robinson asked if Piers' problem with him was his "accent", to which the presenter hit back: "Don't play the class card with me."

The activist, who is now leader of anti-Islam group Pegida UK, added: "You've repeated what I've said for 10 years speaking better English."

In the wake of the horror attack, a heroic imam has been praised for his efforts to calm the chaotic situation in the aftermath of the attack.

The Muslim Council of Britain also appealed for calm in its wake.

17 Mohammed Mahmoud, an imam at the Muslim Welfare Centre, was praised for stepping in to protect suspect Darren Osborne from an angry mob in the wake of the attack Credit: Getty Images

17

17

17 People have laid flowers and tributes at the scene of the attack in Finsbury Park Credit: Getty Images

17 A man hands a bunch of flowers to a police officer across the cordon to lay in tribute at the scene Credit: Rex Features

17 People have been leaving messages of defiance at the scene of the alleged attack, in which one man was killed Credit: Alamy

17 A woman holds a poster which reads 'United against all terror' after a van mowed down pedestrians in North London Credit: Alamy

17 A floral tribute with a message which reads 'We love Finsbury Park and all the people here. Dearest sympathy' Credit: Splash News

Darren Osborne's mum told The Sun she screamed in horror after realising he was the suspect arrested following the attack.

Shocked neighbours said Osborne had recently been kicked out by partner Sarah Andrews — and was forced to live in a tent.

He reportedly screamed “kill me, kill all Muslims” as heroic bystanders tackled him to the ground.

He was filmed blowing kisses from the back of the police van after being taken away by cops.

Twisted ISIS supporters used the attack to call for more atrocities against the West.

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