A MILITANT Islamic group tried to set up a base in Huddersfield two years ago, it was revealed today.

The extremist Al Mohajeroun - known to have representatives in Leeds - bought a house in Bay Hall Common, Birkby.

It is thought Rawthorpe suicide bomber Germaine Lindsay may have been among people trying to help the group get a stranglehold in Huddersfield.

But the group was forced out of Huddersfield by mainstream members of the Muslim community, who were anxious to preserve good community relations.

The group applauded the Twin Tower attacks in New York on 9/11 and is linked to the recent British suicide bombers in Israel.

They denounce all Muslims involved in British politics as "devils".

In a chilling statement released last July the group warned: "The British Government are sitting on a box of dynamite and have only themselves to blame if after attacking the Islamic movements and the Islamic scholars, it all blows up in their face."

But Kirklees Labour group leader Clr Mehboob Khan said the group was forced out of the area by the "determined and moderate Muslim community".

He added: "We did not want them in Birkby. They are extreme and they would have tried to get to our young men.

"We will never be able to confirm whether Germaine Lindsay was a part of this attempt to move the Al Mohajeroun to the town, but it does seem to fit.

"Often their people will latch on to young men from certain areas and use them as a way in to towns.

"We know Lindsay used to travel, because the local mosques were too moderate for him so it is a fair assumption," said Clr Khan.

The London-based group is known world-wide for its fight to establish the Khilafah, the Islamic state.

Police have raided the home of the British leader, Omar Bakri Muhammad, in Edmonton, north London, numerous times. The group is also on the FBI's "watch list".

Cleric Abu Hamza - famous for his hook and extreme teachings outside Finsbury Park mosque in London - was a guest of honour at one of the group's meetings in Trafalgar Square.

Clr Khan, a Muslim himself, said the reaction of the community to Al Mohajeroun proved Germaine Lindsay was not one of many fanatics in Huddersfield.

He added: "He was a one-off. There is no way he was taught fanatical Islamic views by anyone in Huddersfield. It is vital people are aware of that.

"Someone got to this young man and turned him but it was not here.

"When the group tried to set up at a house in Birkby the community immediately wanted them out - and through the planning laws we did that.

"They were planning on using the house to teach.

"In Huddersfield, the Muslim community wholeheartedly denounces the London attacks and is dismayed that its faith is being linked.

"A moderate Muslim is a strong Muslim.

"In Huddersfield, we have very strong and good Muslims," said Clr Khan.