Abu Qatada wins deportation appeal to remain in the UK

Extremist cleric Abu Qatada will be released on bail on Tuesday and not be deported to Jordon

16:47 13 November 2012

After ten years, the legal battle regarding Abu Qatada has seen a decision reached, albeit a controversial one. The 52-year-old has won his appeal against being deported to Jordon and will be back on Britain’s streets as of Tuesdayunder strict bail conditions.

 

The news comes after a court ruled that Qatada, who is wanted by the Jordanian government on terrorism charges, should not be deported. This opposes the decision Home Secretary Theresa May was hoping for, who ordered the deportation which was overturned by the appeal.

 

The reason for Qatada not being deported is understood to relate to the fact that he could be exposed to torture. In the past it has been said that he has been linked to Osama bin Laden.

 

Ms. May sees Qatada as being “dangerous” and will look to appeal the decision reached.

 

She said: “The British government has obtained from the Jordanian government assurances, not just in relation to the treatment of Qatada himself, but about the quality of the legal processes that would be followed throughout his trial.”

 

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg supports Ms. May’s sentiment, as he has stated that Qatada “does not belong here” in Britain.

 

He told ITV's Daybreak: “We are determined to deport him, we strongly disagree with the court ruling. We are going to challenge it, we are going to take it to appeal.”

 

The President of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac), Mr Justice Mitting, has said the decision was reached because they did not want to withhold Qatada’s liberty, according to reports.

 

At the start of 2011, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Qatada could be returned to Jordon under diplomatic assurances but not be deported.