Abu Qatada can be deported

12 April 2012

Radical cleric Abu Qatada can be deported, despite fears he could face torture, a court has ruled.

The Law Lords said Qatada, once described by a judge as "Osama Bin Laden's right hand man in Europe", could be sent back to Jordan where he faces terror charges.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "delighted" with the ruling which she said vindicated the Government's efforts to remove Qatada.

The Law Lords also ruled in favour of the Government over its attempts to deport two other men to Algeria. All three men could now take their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Ms Smith said: "I'm delighted with the Lords' decision today in the cases of Abu Qatada and the two Algerians 'RB' and 'U'. It highlights the threat these individuals pose to our nation's security and vindicates our efforts to remove them.

"My top priority is to protect public safety and ensure national security and I have signed Abu Qatada's deportation order which will be served on him today. I am keen to deport this dangerous individual as soon as I can."

Qatada is currently being held in Belmarsh high security prison after an immigration court ruled last year that there was a risk he could breach his bail conditions.

Eric Metcalfe, director of human rights policy at Justice, said the ruling was a "step backwards in the international fight against torture".

He said the agreements not to torture made by countries where Britain was seeking to send terror suspects were worthless.

He said: "A promise not to torture from a regime that tortures its own people is worth nothing. It is shameful that the Government negotiated these deals in the first place, and saddening that the courts have refused to intervene to stop them.

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