DEPORTATION: London-based solicitor denies Sun claims

A London-based sole practitioner has reported the Sun newspaper to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) over an article suggesting that she was 'the mastermind' behind Muslim cleric Abu Hamza's fight against deportation.

The article also suggested that Mudassar Arani, of Arani & Co, had received 210,000 in public funding last year when she was in fact acting for Mr Hamza on a pro bono basis.

The Sun added that 'Mercedes-driving' Ms Arani lived in 'a 280,000 house in Brentford' and had offices above a greengrocer's shop 'on a busy road in Southall, west London'.

Ms Arani complained to the PCC that the article had given the impression that she was 'a lunatic and a nutcase' living a lavish lifestyle and that she had to call in the police after receiving 'numerous vulgar and abusive calls' following its publication.

She said the Sun had been 'irresponsible' in linking her with Mr Hamza in an article 'designed to cause harassment'.

Ms Arani told the Gazette she thought the media had 'demonised' Muslim solicitors since 11 September 2001 and argued that lawyers were at risk if they were painted as holding the same views as their clients.

'We will not be intimidated in this manner and neither will we allow matters to rest if the media continues this witch hunt against us [because] we are Muslim solicitors,' she added.

'We sincerely hope that we are not compelled to take any further steps.'

A spokeswoman for the Sun said: 'We have responded fully and this is now in the hands of the PCC.

We are confident that our story is accurate and in the public interest.'

Paula Rohan