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Immigration judge says Qatada evidence is "thin"

Some of the evidence put forward against terror suspect Abu Qatada in Jordan has been described as "extremely thin" by senior immigration judge , Mr Justice Mitting.

He is the president of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which is considering Mr Qatada's appeal against extradition to Jordan.

The Appeals Commission will test whether sufficient assurances have been received from Jordan to ensure he gets a fair trial - rather than the strength of the case against him.

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Abu Qatada timeline

1999 - Abu Qatada is convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

2005 - The preacher is arrested under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008 - The Court of Appeal rules that deporting him would breach his human rights, because evidence used against him in Jordan may have been obtained through torture.

2009 - Five Law Lords rule that Qatada can be deported, on the basis of assurances from foreign governments that he will get a fair trial.

January 2012 - European judges rule that he cannot be deported while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him", but that diplomatic assurances from Jordan would clear the way for his deportation.

April 2012 - Home Secretary Theresa May secures assurances from Jordan that it will "bend over backwards" to ensure Qatada receives a fair trial. Qatada's legal team lodges a fresh appeal attempt with Europe's human rights judges - but loses the case in May.

August 2012 - Qatada lodges a fresh attempt for freedom at the High Court.

Government plans to resist Qatada bail application

Abu Qatada
Abu Qatada Credit: Reuters

Downing Street said the Government would resist any application for bail by Abu Qatada.

"If he applies for bail, we will oppose it vigorously," a No 10 spokeswoman said.

Asked if the Prime Minister still had full confidence in Home Secretary Theresa May, the spokeswoman replied: "Yes."

She added: "It is our firm intention to see him deported." This statement comes after confusion caused by Qatada's appeal against his deportation. It means he could be released on bail within weeks.

Mrs May has said the application by Qatada's lawyers to prevent him being sent to Jordan should be thrown out by the European Court of Human Rights because it missed a three-month appeal deadline. But Labour has released advice from the Council of Europe suggesting it may have beaten the deadline.

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Qatada arrested in London this morning

Abu Qatada is driven from Long Lartin Prison in South Littleton in February.
Abu Qatada is driven from Long Lartin Prison in South Littleton in February. Credit: Reuters

Radical cleric Abu Qatada was arrested in London this morning.

The move came as Home Secretary Theresa May prepared to update MPs on the steps being taken to deport him to Jordan.

The 51-year-old has been described by a judge as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe.

Click here for more on this story.

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