Islamic scholar says sermon at Didsbury mosque was supporting 'armed jihad'

A Muslim scholar says he had 'no doubt' a sermon at the mosque where the Manchester bomber worshipped called for the support of armed jihadist fighters.

An imam at Didsbury Mosque in December 2016 was recorded praying for "victory" for "our brothers and sisters right now in Aleppo and Syria and Iraq".

The imam, Mustafa Graf, says his sermon did not call for armed jihad and he has never preached radical Islam.

Usama Hasan, head of Islamic studies at Quilliam, a think tank that focuses on counter-extremism has listened to the recording and said it was an 'ignorant and irresponsible sermon' and could be seen as 'an incitement to act'.

Martin Hibbert from Chorley was left paralysed in the attack and his daughter was seriously injured.

He said claims the imam's sermon had been 'misinterpreted' was an insult to the victims.