The brother of Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Deghayes has denied allegations he believed Tony Blair was a legitimate target for terrorists.

Abubaker Deghayes, who runs the Al-Quds mosque in Dyke Road, Brighton, has also denied reports linking the mosque with extremists.

Mr Deghayes allegedly told an undercover reporter he endorsed views that the Prime Minister could legitimately be targeted by suicide bombers.

Mr Deghayes said he had said Mr Blair was a target but meant that he was a target to be voted out.

The allegations came to light after a reporter for The Sunday Times went undercover at the mosque and questioned Mr Deghayes on his views. Sussex Police had said extremist literature had been found at the mosque in the past but Mr Deghayes said he had not had any problems of extremism there.

Supporters of Omar Deghayes, who has been held without charge at the Guantanamo prison camp for more than four years, said they hoped the allegations would not affect his fight for justice.

The Argus has campaigned for the US authorities to either bring Omar Degayes to trial or have him released.

Abubaker Deghayes said yesterday he condemned terrorism in all its forms.

Mr Deghayes said he had agreed that Tony Blair was a target to be voted out.

He said: "That is what I believe and yes, I agree, but anything else, no.

"I told the undercover journalist that anyone who attacks Islam, Allah will take care of them.

"I don't believe in violence or violent means. I don't see any problems with extremism in the mosque, nothing as such. We've never had any complaints from the police about extremism."

Asked whether he thought he was a radical Muslim, Mr Deghayes said: "No. I am trying to be a good Muslim, that's how I would like to see myself - as somebody who obeys the scriptures of the Koran and is good with fellow human beings."

The Argus has previously reported on radical elements at the mosque, which once housed Abu Hamza, the extremist cleric jailed last year for inciting murder.

In 1997 Mr Deghayes himself was ordered by Brighton County Court not to harass leading muslim cleric Dr Abduljalil Sajid, secretary of the Sussex Muslim Society Trust, after a clash of rival factions at the mosque.

Neighbours in Dyke Road said yesterday they were shocked by the allegations.

James Endersby, a web designer, said: "I certainly don't want that where I live but I've never seen any proof of extremists here.

"People go to their Friday prayers and they seem perfectly peaceful."