Radical Muslim Abu Qatada Stays in UK

From Herald Scotland:

RADICAL cleric Abu Qatada cannot be sent back to Jordan because it would be a "flagrant denial of justice", human rights judges ruled.

The firebrand preacher, below, described as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe", won his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights against the UK's efforts to deport him with assurances that he would not be tortured.

Home Secretary Theresa May said she was "disappointed" but it was "not the end of the road" and Qatada would remain in prison while "all legal options" are considered". The judges ruled sending him back to face terror charges could lead to evidence obtained by torture being used against him, denying him his right to a fair trial.

It is the first time the Strasbourg-based court has found that an expulsion would be in violation of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to a fair trial, which is enshrined in UK law under the Human Rights Act.

The Government can now make a final attempt to appeal against the judgment before it becomes binding in three months' time.

Described as truly dangerous, Abu Qatada currently resides at Long Lartin Prison in Worcestershire. The government has three months to deport him, convict him, or release him.