Qatada Deportation Moves A Step Closer

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

A legal treaty between the UK and Jordan has been fully ratified, bringing the deportation of radical cleric Abu Qatada a step closer.

The treaty was passed by parliaments in both countries last month but not fully ratified until it was published in the Jordanian government's legal gazette.

It guarantees that the Jordanians will not use evidence which might have been obtained through torture in any future trial against Qatada,

The cleric's legal team have already said that once that guarantee is in place, he would be willing to return to Jordan of his own volition.

Security Minister James Brokenshire has welcomed the latest development.

He said: "The publication of the treaty in the Jordanian Official Gazette is welcome. Whilst further steps remain, our focus is on seeing Abu Qatada on a plane to Jordan at the earliest opportunity."

Theresa May signing the treaty with Jordan earlier this year

Sky News understands there still has to be an exchange of letters between the two countries, allowing the Jordanians 14 days to confirm they are still seeking deportation.

However, a delay is not expected and confirmation from the Jordanians could come within days, allowing Home Secretary Theresa May to issue a new deportation order.

The cleric's legal team would have three days to appeal. If he does not, he will deported at the earliest opportunity.

The Home Office recently revealed the eight-year legal fight to deport Qatada has cost taxpayers more than £1.7m.

He claimed asylum in the UK 20 years ago but was convicted on terrorism charges in his absence in Jordan in 1999 and sentenced to life in prison.

He now faces a retrial on those charges, but his lawyers have said some of the evidence may have come from people who were tortured to testify against him.

His legal team believe the new treaty gives the cleric a key guarantee that any retrial in Jordan would be fair.

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