Radical cleric Abu Qatada's deportation has been thrown into doubt after the European Court of Human Rights said it had received a last-minute appeal.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the appeal was a "delaying tactic".
The appeal was lodged late last night, but Mrs May said she was "absolutely clear" that the deadline had expired.
An appeal means the deportation process cannot begin until a panel of judges has decided whether the case should go to the Grand Chamber of the court.
Prime Minister David Cameron said that Abu Qatada has no right to stay in the UK
"He is a threat to our security, he has absolutely no further call on our hospitality and he should be deported.
"That is what we are determined to achieve, no matter how difficult it is, no matter how long it may take," he said.
Mr Qatada, 51, who faces charges in Jordan of plotting bomb attacks, had been arrested on Tuesday and denied bail.
In a statement to the Commons later, Mrs May, believing the deadline for an appeal had passed, said he could be removed from the UK "in full compliance of law".
However, on Wednesday the court said it received a request at 22:00 BST on Tuesday, which it said was before the deadline.
A panel of five judges will now decide if the case should go to the Grand Chamber. A court spokeswoman said the panel always considers the timing of the referral request and decides whether it was before or after the deadline.
Mrs May told the BBC that the deadline was three months from 17 January, making it 16 April.
"We are absolutely clear that the deadline for his appeal had expired," she said in an interview with the BBC.
A European court official later said: "We cannot comment on the view taken by the UK authorities about when the deadline expired."
If the judges decide the case will not go before the Grand Chamber, the deportation process can "It is the case that I want to see Abu Qatada deported; this is a delaying tactic from him," Mrs May said.
"I am absolutely clear that once we are through this we will resume these deportation proceedings, because I know I want to see Abu Qatada on a plane to Jordan. And I know that that is what the British public want."resume.
read more:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17758014
No comments:
Post a Comment