Horn is said to have sympathised with mass killer Anders Breivik's views

A man has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after allegedly praising mass murderer Anders Breivik on Facebook.

Philip Horn, 45, is in police custody after reports he posted on the social networking site that he "takes his hat off" to the gunman.

The father-of-three, from Gillingham, was arrested by Kent Police yesterday.

He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries until December 3.

Horn, who is reported to have links with the English Defence League, is said to back Breivik's claim of being motivated by a political crusade to "protect his country from Muslims".

Horn is alleged to have posted a message saying: "Well done Anders Breivik. I take my hat off to you sir.

"You proved you were not insane and that you are just one of many like myself who wish their country to return to the way it was before it was invaded by the Muslim population. Respect to you."

Norwegian Breivik slaughtered 77 adults and teenagers when he bombed government buildings in Oslo and carried out a mass shooting on the island of Utoya in July last year.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "During the afternoon of Thursday, August 30 a 45-year-old man from Gillingham was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.

"He is currently in police custody."

Utoya island, where Breivik shot children

In a video recording of Mr Horn talking to a national newspaper journalist, the father-of-three admits it is wrong to kill children, but says Breivik did what he thought was right.

He is heard saying: "When you see the background of you know, what his agenda was, he wants to keep Norway as Norway.

"Of course, it's wrong to kill children, I've got three kids of my own, but, if he had to do it that way to get his point across then so be it ."

When a KM Group reporter phoned Mr Horn, an unemployed builder, and asked him if what had been said in the newspaper was true, he said: "They mixed and matched what I said, I have nothing else to say."

When asked if he wanted to put the record straight, he added: "I want nothing more to do with it."