British Muslim's control order quashed

Last Modified: 22 Feb 2008
Source: ITN

A control order restricting the movements of a British convert to Islam has been quashed.

MI5 alleged the order was still necessary because there was a "reasonable suspicion" that Cerie Bullivant, 25, planned to travel to Iraq or Afghanistan to engage in terrorist activity.

But at London's High Court, Mr Justice Collins quashed the order after ruling: "There is no reasonable suspicion that establishes that."

Lawyers for Bullivant, from Dagenham, Essex, had argued the accusations were "baseless", and that he was the victim of an abuse of power.

Bullivant said the order had taken him down to "the depths of despair".

The quashed order was made last year and replaced the original ruling made in June 2006.

The judge said that, on the material now available, he would not have upheld the first order either, but he was satisfied that the Home Secretary had reasonable grounds for suspicion and was justified in making it at the time.

The judge was told that Jacqui Smith was not going to appeal against his ruling, and Mr Bullivant's solicitor, Henry Miller, said he was now "absolutely a free man".

Mr Bullivant said outside court that his marriage was wrecked by the control order and his mental health had suffered seriously.

He now intends to take up the nursing course that, he said, he had to abandon because of the tough restrictions under the order.

He said in a statement: "Since the imposition of the first control order in June 2006, I have been subjected to the most extreme pressures which have thrown my life into turmoil.

"As a direct result of the imposition of the order, my wife has left me and my family and friends have become deeply distressed.

"The Home Office's own psychiatrist has confirmed that I am now suffering from severe depressive illness which was caused by the imposition of the control order.

"Although I am very happy that this order has now been lifted, this draconian process and legislation is still continuing to ruin the lives of others and their families."

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