From BBC News:

"A man said to be one of the most important recruiters for Islamist extremism in the UK has been convicted at the end of a major trial."

One of the most important recruiters and yet this is the first we have heard about his trial. The trial actually concluded about a week ago and is only now being reported.

This is yet another example of the way New Labour is eroding our rights in this country. Most people will not bat an eyelid at this yet it was a secret trial. Once the waters have been tested and public opinion found not to be opposed (basically apathetic is the likely reality), the slippery slope towards the government being able to make people disappear with impunity has begun.

Now, it may well be that Mohammed Hamid is guilty of the crimes he has been convicted of but the fact that the proceedings of the court and trial were kept secret makes one wonder who substantial the evidence against him really was.

One of the hallmarks of a free and open society - which the UK is supposed to be - is that the judicial process is open to scrutiny. This trial was not - we should all be afraid.