Anjem Choudary released: Who is the hate cleric once known as a 'party animal'? And what monitoring him costs the taxpayer

Notorious hate preacher Anjem Choudary, who was jailed for inviting support for Islamic State, has been released from prison.

The cleric, who was jailed for five-and-half years in 2016, was driven away from Belmarsh prison under the cover of darkness at around 4am today.

The 51-year-old, from Ilford, east London, was released "for good behaviour" under strict conditions after serving half of his sentence.

Once a leading figure in the now banned group al-Muhajiroun, the former solicitor had previously stayed on the right side of the law for years.

Why are authorities’ hands tied?

Choudary was due for automatic release after reaching the halfway point of a five-and-a-half-year sentence, when time spent on remand is taken into account.

The system of serving half a sentence in prison and half on licence is normal practice and applies to prisoners who are given sentences of over two years.

It was introduced by Parliament, and is not something that judges or magistrates have any control over.

Remand refers to the period of time someone spends in custody while awaiting trial.

Barrister Jane Issacs told Good Morning Britain unless Britain introduces new laws for "certain people” who have committed “certain crimes” there is nothing authorities can do to change this.

She said if this was not the case “there are people that would say that we are becoming a regime or a society that is far too strict because we are imposing rules on people because of what they’ve done rather than because of what we believe.”

“It’s a difficult call, if someone’s abided by the rules we release them into the community, if we want to change the rules that’s an entirely different debate around free speech, whether we have certain categories of crime that different rules apply to,” she added.

How much is it costing to monitor him?

The huge security operation needed to keep tabs on Choudary will see taxpayers hit by a £2million-a-year bill.

The Sunday Telegraph revealed the figure this week, and described the conditions being imposed on the preacher as “the most stringent living conditions ever placed on a British citizen”.

Ms Issacs told GMB: “It costs money but in some ways you might say it’s money well spent because if it keeps an eye on him and it prevents him from committing further crimes in some respects that’s what we all pay our taxes for.”

What measures are in place?

For the rest of the sentence period, he will be subject to a strict supervision regime.

Police and MI5 are expected to be among a host of agencies involved in monitoring him in the community.

He will be supervised under a system known as multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa).

It is thought he will initially be placed in a probation hostel following his release, and will have to comply with more than 20 licence conditions.

There are a number of standard requirements, including maintaining good behaviour, receiving visits from and keeping in contact with his supervising probation officer, and not travelling outside the UK without prior permission.

In addition, Choudary will be subject to a bespoke package of further measures while on licence.

These include being banned from going outside the M25, or from travelling abroad; banned from contacting members of ISIS or al-Qaeda; banned from contacting fellow extremist Mohammed Mizanur Rahman; banned from speaking to children; banned from organising meetings, speaking to the press, or going to certain mosques.

Any breach of licence conditions can result in immediate return to custody.

In a separate measure, his name has been added to a UN sanctions list, which means he is subject to an assets freeze and travel ban.

What do the authorities say?

On Thursday, Theresa May said authorities are equipped to supervise Choudary after his release.

The Prime Minister said: "The police, the prison, the probation service, and other agencies have a range of powers available to them.

"They also have significant experience in dealing with such offenders."

The plan for his release is seen as highly sensitive, and no official confirmation of the precise timing or location has been given.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We do not comment on individuals."

Prisons minister Rory Stewart has previously said Choudary will be watched "very, very carefully".

Last week, security minister Ben Wallace said: "We are alert to the threat people like him pose and we will make sure we do what steps we need to mitigate it."

Who is Anjem Choudary?

Anjem Choudhary was born in London in 1967, the son of a Welling market trader.

He went to school in Woolwich and later enrolled as a medical student at the University of Southampton. There he was known as Andy and is understood to have been a notorious “party animal” who “got stoned” with his friends.

He later switched to law and, after completing his legal qualifications, became chairman of the Society of Muslim Lawyers.

Choudary headed the Al-Muhajiroun network founded by Islamist militant leader Omar Bakri Muhammed.

The group, which has been known by other names including Islam4UK and had influence across Europe, supported an extreme interpretation of Islam that advocated Sharia law and an ultimate conflict with the west.

The group openly supported acts of terrorism and a number of followers went on to become involved in such acts, the best known example being Lee Rigby’s killer Michael Adebolajo.