A radical cleric who once planned to hold an anti-western march through Royal Wootton Bassett is on the verge of becoming a household name.

When 47-year-old lawyer-turned-self-styled preacher Anjem Choudary is not being linked to convicted terrorists, he is often heard making provocative and controversial comments on sensitive issues of national security.

Most recently, the East London-based Islamist told reporters he does not "feel sorry" for British IS hostage Alan Henning and labelled the terror network's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as "prince of the believers".

But despite his frequent and contentious appearances in the public eye and connections to extremism, Choudary has established a reputation for being careful to stay on the right side of the law.

Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick previously revealed police officers were constantly assessing whether any of Choudary's proclamations were criminal, but later added: "It is fair to say that many so-called preachers of hate are very familiar with criminal law."

Choudary, who is of Pakistani descent, studied law at Guildford, before moving to London to teach English as a second language.

After becoming a lawyer and completing his legal qualifications, Choudary became chairman of the Society of Muslim Lawyers. He was later removed from the roll of solicitors in 2002.

He later embraced radical Islamism and co-founded the extremist organisation al-Muhajiroun, working with the Islamist militant leader Omar Bakri Muhammad.

Among his most controversial moves were plans to stage an anti-Western march under his now-banned group Islam4UK through Royal Wootton Bassett, at a time when the town was famous for honouring service personnel killed in Afghanistan.

At the time ex-mayor and councillor Chris Wannell said: "We don't do what we do at Wootton Bassett for any political reason at all, but to pay our respects to those who have given their lives for our freedom.

"We are a Christian country and a traditional old English market town who honour very much our Queen and country. We obey the law and pay respects to our servicemen who protect our freedom.

"If this man has any decency about him he will not hold a march through Wootton Bassett."

The plan was eventuall;y abandoned by the group.

He has during numerous interviews over the last 10 years applauded the 9/11 terrorists, refused to condemn the 7/7 bombings  in London and blamed the murder of soldier Lee Rigby on British foreign policy.

Islamist fanatics Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who were both jailed earlier this year for the brutal slaying of Fusilier Rigby, were both seen at demonstrations organised by al-Muhajiroun. Choudary admitted he knew Adebolajo, who was pictured beside him at a rally in 2007.

A report from anti-extremism campaigners Hope Not Hate warned Choudary was wrongly seen as ''a figure of fun'' and warned al-Muhajiroun was the "single biggest gateway to terrorism in recent British history''.

Choudary at the time said al-Muhajiroun has been active since the 1990s meaning that a lot of people will have come into contact with the group but denied any involvement in atrocities.

Al-Muhajiroun has a complicated history and has taken on a number of alternative names, in a bid to dodge its proscribed organisation status, such as Islam4UK, Muslims Against Crusades and Need4Khilafah.

One of the group's most provocative statements was to celebrate the 9/11 extremists as "the Magnificent 19".

Earlier this week, Choudary turned his attention to the capture of aid worker Alan Henning, saying he did not "feel sorry for him".

IS militants threatened to behead the 47-year-old in a video, which also showed the murder of another British man, David Haines.

Choudary told reporters: "Rather than focus on Mr Henning, what they could do, the British Government, is focus on their own actions. Why are they not releasing Muslim people they are holding?

"If they stop the oppression against Muslims, Mr Henning could easily be returned home."