Abu Qatada could stay in UK for years after May presides over 'shambles'
Source: The Guardian
Government attempts to deport the radical cleric Abu Qatada face becoming embroiled in possibly years of legal argument, threatening to further embarrass the home secretary, Theresa May.
A panel of senior European judges will decide within the next three months if Qatada should be allowed to appeal to the grand chamber of the European court of human rights against his deportation.
The Home Office argues that it can deport him to Jordan, where he is wanted on terrorist charges, as the time frame for him to be protected against deportation ran out on April 16. His lawyers lodged an appeal the next day which they say fell within the time frame.
May says assurances from the Jordanian government that evidence obtained under torture will not be used against Qatada should allow his deportation to proceed. If the dispute is referred to the grand chamber, it would take 12-18 months before a decision on his status was reached, say legal experts.
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/21/abu-qatada-could-stay-uk