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A Scots Muslim convert who demanded an apology from Manchester after the city’s bomb atrocity has a previous conviction for confronting British soldiers.

Extremist Hamza Siddiq - born as Andrew Calladine - was chased out of his home town of Kirkcudbright at the weekend after a series of disgusting online rants in support of the Manchester bomber.

(Image: SWNS)

Now we can reveal that he has form for extremist behaviour, wrecking a British Army recruitment display and demanding that soldiers repent to Allah for their “crimes” in Afghanistan.

(Image: Unknown)

The Record can also reveal that computer programmer Siddiq has been arrested over appalling comments he made on Facebook that claimed the Manchester bomb at the Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 innocent people, including many children, was justified.

Siddiq was “released under investigation” after his arrest for the online outbursts, meaning he is under police observation and could be taken into custody at any time.

The radical extremist, who fled Scotland after being confronted in a Tesco store in his home town of Kirkcudbright on Saturday, produces a website that drums up support for some of the most dangerous Islamist leaders, including Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, who radicalised soldier Lee Rigby’s killers.

Siddiq’s “We Hear and Obey” site also pays homage to influential Mizanur Rahman and Anjem Choudary, who are serving jail sentences for drumming up support for Isis.

(Image: YouTube)

A source in Nottingham said: “Siddiq has been ranting on the streets about Britain deserving every terror attack it gets. He targeted soldiers in Nottingham city centre despite knowing that would spark terror in many of those who would have witnessed it.

“His life is dedicated to radical Islamist thinking and what he is saying on the surface is the tip of the iceberg.

“His unflinching support for some of the most dangerous British clerics makes it plain that he is well connected and has no sympathy whatsoever for the children who died in Manchester.”

The source added: “Hamza is a big league player in the UK Jihadist scene. He runs a potentially illegal website distributing and praising convicted Jihadists.”

The Record told earlier this week how Siddiq wrote on Facebook the day after the Manchester bomb: “I refuse to apologise for it or pretend I don’t know the cause.

(Image: Facebook)

“The blame for it lies at the feet of the politicians, their police and their armies. It was an inevitable consequence of British foreign and domestic policy towards Muslims.”

He added: “Why should we care when the table turns. Do they think they can prod a hornet's nest and not get stung?”

The following day, Siddiq plumbed new depths by ordering grieving Mancunians to say sorry.

He wrote: “I invite the people of Manchester to apologise for these atrocious acts of terrorism by the radical democrats of the UN.

“Every single one of their people needs to root out the violent militants living amongst them before they have a chance to join the British forces.”

There was so much anxiety in the Kirkcudbright after Siddiq’s posts provoked confrontations that some parents kept their kids off school on Monday because of security fears.

(Image: Facebook)

Siddiq was back home last week for a family funeral.

Despite the terrifying abuse of soldiers at Nottingham’s Old Market Square last March, 35-year-old Siddiq’s only regret was that he bothered to turn up to court.

He posted on his Facebook page - which was taken down after a backlash to his Manchester rantings - “Last year I was arrested for causing a disturbance at an army recruitment event.

“I disrupted a TV broadcast, asking the soldiers if they felt guilty for their crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, before telling them they needed to repent to Allah, and accept Islam or enter the hellfire.

(Image: Facebook)

“As I left I knocked down their display shortly before the police turned up and arrested me, bundling me and another brother (who did nothing) into the back of their van. During which time I told them they needed to accept Islam and quit their jobs, rather than enforce man-made law.

“When I was taken to court I refused to stand for the judge. I told him that I did not recognise his authority, nor did I accept man-made law and that I would only accept judgement under the shariah.”

He added: “The only regret I have is that when they released me, and I was called to court by summons, I walked to the courtroom from my home, rather than them forcibly take me.”

Despite Siddiq’s actions causing huge offence, he was given just a £140 fine at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, plus a surcharge to victim services of £20 and costs of £85.

Siddiq has also claimed that anyone not surrendering to the Muslim faith - specifying his own parents - will face hellfire.

(Image: Facebook)

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a man was arrested and released after questioning following Siddiq’s Facebook comments on the Manchester bomb.

The spokesman said: “A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a Section 5 public order offence, following alleged comments made on social media. He was released under investigation.”

The Record has emailed Siddiq, asking him for comment on his offensive rantings but he did not get back to us.