Disaster for Theresa May as Abu Qatada wins appeal

By politics.co.uk staff

Theresa May faced a serious blow to her authority today, when a semi-secret court accepted Abu Qatada's arguments against his deportation to Jordan.

The home secretary will be relieved the news comes on the same day as the crisis at the BBC dominated the news, because the ruling directly contradicts her assurances that evidence gained through torture would not be used against Qatada.

"Strongly disagree with ruling," the Home Office tweeted.

"We have assurances re treatment of Qatada & quality of legal processes in trial. Seeking leave to appeal."

The ruling by judges at a Special Immigration Appeals Commission follows a European Court of Human Rights which found evidence gathered through torture could be used against the terror suspect.

The radical cleric is facing a re-trial in Jordan for allegations around attacks against western targets in 1998 and 1999.