Reuters -- LONDON - Muslim convert and former pop star Cat Stevens returned to Britain on Thursday after his deportation from the U.S. over "potential" terrorism links sparked an Anglo-American diplomatic row.
"The whole thing is totally ridiculous," Stevens said on arrival at London's Heathrow airport. "Half of me wants to smile, half of me wants to growl."
UK Muslim leaders were outraged. "The United States is shutting down its house, building walls around itself," said Anas Altikriti, spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain.
Stevens, 56, was travelling with his daughter on a United Airlines flight on Tuesday from London to Washington when American officials diverted it 600 miles to Bangor, Maine. They said he was denied entry to the U.S. because his activities could be linked to terrorism.