A heckler who accused the British police of "state terrorism" interrupted a speech to Muslim leaders by Home Secretary John Reid this afternoon.
The demonstrator shouted at Dr Reid, calling him an "enemy of Islam" and attacking the government's anti-terrorism policies before being led away by police and stewards.
"How dare you come to a Muslim area. I am here to disrupt the meeting," said the man, who later identified himself as Abu Izzadeem. "Shame on all of us for listening to him."
Dr Reid was forced to interrupt his speech on the need for Britain's Muslims to do more to root out possible extremists. A second heckler also briefly disrupted the speech in east London.
Mr Izzadeem told reporters outside that Prime Minister Tony Blair's "cronies" were not welcome in the area, saying: "They can all go to hell."
Dr Reid shrugged off the incident and said the protesters should have stayed to debate their concerns properly. "We must never allow ourselves to be intimidated or shouted down. This is not a new experience for me," he said.
Dr Reid's speech was intended to reflect government frustration that Britain's Muslim communities are not doing enough to combat radical elements in their midst.
Mr Blair has repeatedly stated that the police and security services alone can not defeat terrorism and that they need the help of Britain's 1.7 million Muslims.
Since the July 2005 suicide bomb attacks on London's transport system which killed 52 commuters, police say they have foiled five other plots involving British Islamists.
Last month, detectives said they had disrupted a plan by suicide bombers to blow up trans-Atlantic airliners using liquid explosives. They have since charged 17 Britons in connection with the suspected plot.
Writing in the Sun newspaper earlier this week, Dr Reid said: "I appeal to you (the Muslim community) to look for changes in your teenage sons, odd hours, dropping out of school or college, strange new friends.
"And if you are worried, talk to them before their hatred grows."