Gang seen on YouTube burning Koran in pub car park to face no charges

Seven men accused of burning a Koran in a pub car park and posting the video online will not be prosecuted.

Wendy Williams, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the majority of people would find the incident "repugnant".

But there was not enough evidence to create a realistic chance the men would be convicted of any offence, she said, adding: "If any further evidence comes to light and is sent to us, we will look at it."

Police arrested seven men on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after the video recording was posted on YouTube last September. It showed a group of young men in hooded tops or wearing scarves over their faces pouring petrol on a book and setting it alight.

They cheered as the book burst into flames during the incident in a car park behind a Gateshead pub.

Those involved later told police they did not intend to offend anyone and very few people saw what happened at the time.

The men may have been copying Terry Jones, who threatened to burn the Muslim holy book on 11 September.

The Florida-based pastor created an international outcry but did not go ahead with the provocative plan.