Radical Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has suggested that the late Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed multiple times on Friday, may have been targeted due to his stance on Israel, a report claims. 

Mr Choudary, a former leader of the proscribed group Islam4UK, was convicted of inviting support for ISIS in 2016 and jailed until his early release in 2018.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday at the weekend, the 54-year-old cleric said he was unsure about Sir David’s views but added he was rumoured to be pro-Israel.

Sir David previously served as the honorary secretary of Conservative Friends of Israel.

“Many people do [believe] that [Israel] is a terrorist state, and who would possibly be a friend of Israel after you see the carnage that they carried out against Muslims in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and continue to do with the appropriation of properties,” Mr Choudary told the Mail on Sunday from his east London home.

He reportedly said he did not condone violence, adding: “Obviously that does not give someone justification for someone to kill someone. I believe there is a covenant of security in this country, where the lives and wealth of people with whom we Muslims live are protected in return for our lives and wealth.”

His comments drew criticism from anti-extremism expert Professor Anthony Glees, who reportedly said the remark was “an attempt to radicalise others.”

Sir David’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes, with Jewish groups expressing their “profound sorrow” at the killing.

A 25 year-old British man, named by authorities as Ali Harbi Ali, is being held in custody. A warrant of further detention is set to expire on 22 October.