You couldn't make it up!

You couldn't make it up!
Abu Qatada arrested after 'attempts to flee' Radical Islamic cleric Abu Qatada has been arrested after allegedly attempting to flee the country. By Charlotte Bailey http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3414002/Abu-Qatada-arrested-after-attempts-to-flee.html Qatada, described as Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe", is under strict bail conditions following an earlier Court of Appeal decision to refuse his deportation. After being freed from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire in June, he was ordered to spend at least 22 hours a day confined to his West London home, wearing an electronic tag. However, according to The Sun newspaper, Qatada, 47, has been arrested after allegedly breaching his bail. The newspaper reported that the UK Borders Agency received a tip-off that he was planning to leave Britain. A spokeswoman for the Home Office confirmed reports that he had been arrested but would not comment further. She said: "We do not comment on individuals." Scotland Yard refused to comment and referred all inquiries to the Home Office. Back in June, the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, said she was "extremely disappointed" at the court's decision to bail Qatada, while the Conservatives branded the decision "offensive". The Home Office had pledged to deport Qatada to Jordan to face terror charges. Qatada has been accused of helping to inspire the September 11 attacks after videos of his sermons were found in the flat used by three of the hijackers, including their leader Mohammed Atta. He is wanted in his native Jordan for allegedly plotting a series of bomb attacks in Amman in 1998 and for providing finance and advice to terrorists planning a series of explosions there on Millennium night. _________________________________________________________ What is the matter with these people? Why didn't they just let him leave, to become someone else's problem? You couldn't make it up!

Effectively he's imprisoned within the UK where we can keep an eye on him. If we just let him go, and if he is as dangerous as people claim, we might find that his freedom allows him to take steps to create an even bigger problem for us. Along with that, there is a danger in making exceptions under the law. We need apply the law equally to all people. To just let him go would set a precedent which could complicate future cases. We may as well just throw out the rule book.

Of course. If a set of policeman and home office staff were to say "Let us carry your bags, Mr Qatada! Enjoy your flight!" that would be one thing. But using the Nelsonian blind eye when an unwanted immigrant decides to leave, surely that would be something else. The gummint wants him out of the country. HE wants out of the country. But his "youman rites" would be infringed if we let him have his way? As I said. You couldn't make it up! :roll:

Effectively he's imprisoned within the UK where we can keep an eye on him. If we just let him go, and if he is as dangerous as people claim, we might find that his freedom allows him to take steps to create an even bigger problem for us. Agreed. Although I'd prefer it if he was kept in a cell.

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