Abu Qatada wins appeal case

A Muslim cleric described as an “enormous risk” to UK security won a last-minute appeal on Monday against deportation to face terrorism charges in Jordan, in a blow to Britain which has been trying to remove him for a decade. A senior judge at a special London court said there was a risk that evidence obtained using torture may be used against Abu Qatada and he may not receive a fair trial in Jordan. The case of Abu Qatada has been a thorn in the side of successive British governments. The court ruled there was a “real risk” that evidence obtained by torture from two other men could be used against him in a Jordanian court. The ruling, delivered at a special court that deals with security cases, said British interior minister Theresa May had been wrong not to revoke an earlier deportation ruling against Abu Qatada, and allowed his appeal.