Scouting stands in for holy war training

More usually associated with tying knots and helping grannies cross the road, the Scouting Movement found itself linked with a terrorism trial this week. The trial of Abu Hamza strayed on to new territory this week when the controversial Muslim preacher was asked whether, as he had recommended in his speech, children should go in for jihad training.

'If they want,' replied Hamza. 'They could go for scouting or something.' Prosecutor David Perry then asked the preacher, 'Do you mean scouts and cubs? Have your own children been to the cub scouts?' 'Maybe one or two days,' came the reply. 'Whether it is war or study, everybody needs training.'

Hamza, who is the father of seven children, was also quizzed at the trial over a controversial book, the Encyclopedia of Afghani Jihad - a volume of which had been mislaid in his home by one of his children. 'Maybe they put it on top of the microwave and someone took it,' said Hamza. 'I find my books under the computer or propping up a table. It is a house of children not a barracks.' The volume in question, which features details on bombs and grenades, was eventually discovered by Hamza's son.

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