Abu Qatada treaty ratified by UK Parliament

[EC]

Via the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23000847

he treaty agreed between Britain and Jordan, which is intended to pave the way for the deportation of Abu Qatada, has been signed into law in the UK.

The treaty will not come into force until other administrative formalities are completed.

These include publication of the document in an official newspaper in Jordan and an exchange of diplomatic letters between the two countries.

The treaty could then lead to the deportation of Abu Qatada next week.

The cleric has already indicated he will not challenge deportation if the treaty is passed because the document guarantees him a fair trial.

The Home Office said: "We welcome the approval of the treaty by both the UK and Jordanian Parliaments. Our focus remains on seeing Qatada on a plane to Jordan at the earliest opportunity."

Britain has been trying to deport Abu Qatada since 2005, and he has been detained and released several times during the legal battle.

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

There will be more at link as the details emerge.