Extremist preacher Anjem Choudary has pleaded not guilty to two terror offences, relating to a banned Islamist group.

The 57-year-old, from east London, appeared via video link at the Old Bailey on Monday.

He is accused of two offences. One charge relates to being a member of the proscribed organisation Al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

The prosecution also claims the Islamist preacher addressed meetings to encourage support for the group.

Choudary is currently detained on remand at HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire.

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

On the same day, a second suspect, Khaled Hussein, was detained at Heathrow airport after arriving on a flight.

Hussein, 29, who lives in Canada, also appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs and pleaded not guilty to membership of ALM.

The prosecution confirmed they will both appear at Kingston Crown Court for trial.

That case, which will begin on June 4, is scheduled to last six to eight weeks.

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

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

According to the Home Office, proscription is the banning of an organisation based on an assessment that it commits or participates, or encourages terrorism.