Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Abu Qatada can’t return to Britain after acquittal

 

Nigel Morris
Thursday 26 June 2014 14:28 EDT
Comments
Abu Qatada behind bars in court. The radical Islamist preacher will not be allowed to return to Britain.
Abu Qatada behind bars in court. The radical Islamist preacher will not be allowed to return to Britain. (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Government has insisted there is no chance of Abu Qatada being allowed back into Britain after the radical Islamist preacher was acquitted of terrorism offences by a court in Jordan.

Britain fought a legal battle lasting nearly a decade to deport the cleric; he was finally put on a flight to Amman in July last year.

Following Abu Qatada’s legal victory todday, David Cameron’s spokesman said: “He can’t come back, and he won’t come back. He is a Jordanian and he does not have a UK passport. He would not be granted permission to enter the UK. End of story.”

He had been accused of plotting two terror attacks against Western targets in Jordan in the late 1990s. The 53-year-old was cleared by civilian judges at the State Security Court in Amman, but remains in jail awaiting prosecution on separate terror charges

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in