Radical cleric Qatada granted bail

May 8 2008

A firebrand preacher once described as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe" has been granted bail by an immigration tribunal.

Abu Qatada, who last month defeated the Government's efforts to deport him to Jordan, 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 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."

He is currently being held in Belmarsh high-security prison but could be released within weeks.