The UK has banned a prominent American Muslim preacher from entering the country over social media posts in which he criticised the West’s support for Israel.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revoked travel authorisation for Dr Shadee Elmasry just days before he was scheduled to arrive in Britain on Sunday, to give talks in Birmingham, Bolton and Ilford.

Elmasry had posted: "They are all in this (fake or real) state of shock that the people of Gaza finally punched back (after 50 years).

“In contrast, the very same people would celebrate a similar kind of attack from Ukraine against Putin.”