An update on the absurd and surreal saga of Abu Qatada. “Abu Qatada to be released within days,” by Tom Whitehead for the Telegraph, February 7:
Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric accused of posing a grave threat to Britain’s national security, will be back on the streets within days after judges granted him bail.
Mr Justice Mitting released Qatada despite the Home Office arguing he remains a risk to national security.
His defence team had argued his detention of six and a half years while fighting deportation was unlawful because he did not face any imminent prospect of being removed.
The cleric is wanted in Jordan to stand trial for alleged terror offences and Home Secretary Theresa May battled to keep him behind bars while British diplomats continue to seek assurances from the Jordanian authorities that evidence gained through torture would not be used against him.
Ed Fitzgerald QC, representing Qatada, who is being held in high security conditions, said his client had now been held for six-and-a-half years while fighting deportation – more than anyone else in such a position.
He told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) that that was “against a background of almost nine years detention without charges on the grounds of national security”….
He’s done alright for himself, however, at one point enjoying an £800,000 home and government benefits. It now appears at this point that he may remain a ward of the British state he so despises for an indefinite period.