AN extremist Muslim preacher who accused the British of “living like animals in a jungle” was a former Southampton student, it has emerged.

Anjem Choudary, 41, said he wanted to bring about Sharia law to stop “alcohol, gambling, prostitution and pornography”.

The Muslim lawyer has branded booze the “root of all evil” and said anyone caught drunk should suffer 40 lashes.

His vision would also see all women wearing a traditional burkha to cover everything but their hands and face and the flag of Allah flying above 10 Downing Street.

Mr Choudary sparked further outrage last week when he called British soldiers “cowards” during protests in Luton against returning troops.

Reports said he enrolled as a medial student at Southampton University but later switched to commercial law.

Yet student friends have told how back then he called himself “Andy” and drank alcohol, took drugs, indulged in causal sex.

Mr Choudary, a father-of-three who lives on benefits in East London, said the claims are untrue.

Fellow Muslims and politicians have condemned Mr Choudary’s comments.

Mohammed Aslam, chairman of Southampton Medina Mosque Trust, said: “There are a lot of other Muslims who don’t share those views. Imposing a way life on another sovereign country, I don’t share that.”

And Mr Aslam said he had been “horrified” by the insults and protest against troops, whom he praised.

He said Muslims should lobby politicians over decisions to go to war, stressing “Islam doesn't teach provocation and violence.”

Mr Aslam added he was not aware of extreme fundamentalism at Southampton University.

Rashid Brora, general secretary of the rival Medina Mosque Trust Ltd, said Mr Choudary was not representative of most Muslims who respected other views and religions.

He said: “If he feels that strongly about it he should find a country where Islam is enshrined in the state and go and live there.”