'Osama's right-hand man' granted bail

Last Modified: 08 May 2008
Source: ITN

Radical preacher Abu Qatada has been granted bail by an immigration tribunal.

The man, once described as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe", will be subject to a 22-hour curfew when he is released.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "extremely disappointed" at the decision and promised "all steps necessary to protect the public".

The decision comes after Qatada defeated the Government's efforts to deport him to Jordan in April.

It emerged that former Iraq hostage Norman Kember helped fund bail for Qatada because the preacher released a video calling for his release when he was being held captive.

The 77-year-old said: "If you want to keep him in jail you have to have good reasons for doing it, otherwise al-Qaeda have you if you don't follow your process of justice."

The bail decision by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) is a fresh blow to the Government's anti-terror policies.

Now the Home Office, which is appealing against the decision to block the deportation, will seek the strictest possible conditions on the preacher once released.

Qatada has been convicted in his absence in Jordan of involvement with terror attacks in 1998.

The radical cleric once called on British Muslims to martyr themselves, and tapes of his sermons were found in a flat in Germany used by some of the September 11 hijackers.

Ms Smith said: "I am extremely disappointed that the courts have granted Abu Qatada bail, albeit with very strict conditions.

"Public safety is our main priority and we will take all steps necessary to protect the public.

"I am not prepared to comment on details of individuals' contingency plans, but the Government's priority is to protect public safety and national security. We will ensure that necessary steps are taken to ensure the safety of the public.

"I am already seeking to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision that it is not safe to deport Qatada and we will continue with deportation action with this and the other Jordanian cases."

He is currently being held in Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire but could be released within weeks.

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