Abu Qatada’s back in court today – or his lawyers will be, at least, contesting Theresa May’s appeal against the judgment of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission last November, which ruled that she acted unlawfully in not revoking her deportation order against Qatada. The underlying reason was that she could not satisfy SIAC that deportation to Jordan would not lead to the use against Qatada of evidence gained by torture. SIAC was applying the legal principles laid down by the European Court of Human Rights in its judgment in favour of Qatada just over a year ago.

In the meantime, of course, he’s been returned to custody following a breach of his bail conditions. The breach, according the the Guardian, seems to have been related to his allowing a mobile phone to be switched on inside his house.

The conditions of his bail are extraordinary – and I thought you’d like to see what they are. Here’s a copy of the “bail order” made by Mr. Justice Mitting on 13 November 2012, following Qatada’s successful appeal to SIAC.


2013-03-11T09:34:06+00:00