A preacher from Ilford has pleaded not guilty to two terror offences.

Anjem Choudary, 57, is accused of being a member of proscribed organisation Al-Muhajiroun (ALM) and addressing meetings to encourage support for the organisation.

He appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday (March 25) via video link from HMP Full Sutton.

Choudary was arrested in east London on July 17 last year.

He and a second man, who pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM, will appear at Kingston Crown Court for an estimated six to eight-week trial on June 4.

An earlier hearing was told Choudary had addressed meetings of the Islamic Thinkers Society, which prosecutors said is ALM “for all intents and purposes”.

Choudary will reappear at the Old Bailey for a further hearing on April 23.

Proscription is the banning of an organisation based on an assessment that it commits or participates in, prepares for, promotes or encourages, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism, according to the Home Office.