Abu Qatada deported

If he is found innocent in Jordan, will he be able to come back here?

In the case of Qatada, what would happen if Jordan went back on its word and used evidence obtained through torture in his trial - would Britain have to step in or can we now wash our hands of him. I just wish his family would take advantage of their right to a family life and join him.

True Bags, politicians distorting the truth is hardly headline material. That a lot of people mistakenly believe that Britain went to war in 1939 to save the Jews when, in fact, it was a deeply anti-Semitic society, is sad. However, most of them were not in any position to decide to invade another country on very dodgy evidence, to say the least, some decades later.

About why we went to war in 1939, I mean.

Blair isn't the first politician to distort stuff. I'm not defending him, but his behaviour was hardly unusual for a politician.

I think a lot of people believe that.

Bags Blair not only ignored some aspects of history but also distorted others. You might be interested to know that, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, he reckoned Britain went to war in 1939 to save the Jews.

Blair (and others) may have ignored some history, but all our prime ministers remember that, for all our size, our history is one of a very powerful nation. Whether that was a good thing or bad, it is true and we have not got completely away from it yet. (Nor, I suspect, do our governments want us to). That doesn't justify torture or other dubious practices, but it does explain why successive British governments still think we are part of the the great nations of the world. And anyway, in some ways, we are.

That is the most patriotic 'speech' I've ever made or am ever likely to make.

If only we could act like the size of the small group of islands that we are, instead of being the 'Big I Am'!

when There are probably enough reasons for grievance to fuel extreme and violent actions of revenge against the UK until the end of the century and beyond. They predate the invasion of Iraq, extraordinary rendition and Guantanamo Bay but these certainly poured oil on the flames. (Sorry if that seems like pun.) Of course, Tony Blair had no interest in history but that is still no excuse for not learning from past mistakes. The present pugilistic government still thinks the country should be "punching above its weight" and until Britain acknowledges its true position in the world, dangerous and silly political mistakes will continue to be made.

Yes, absent that's what informed the compelling need not to be complicit in torture on this occasion. I think this country has enough on its plate without attracting more reasons to have a grievance against us.

We already have torture on our consciences - those of us who care - given British complicity in waterboarding, stress techniques and other methods of torture in Guantanamo Bay.

Well said, bluebell. There had to be assurances from Jordan that he would not be tortured and that evidence used aginst him would not include any that was obtained by torture from other people. Once the required assurances were in place, I understand that he was willing to go.

Yes, justice has to be seen to be done, even when it frustrates everyone. There's times we have ridden roughshod over other countres' citizens' rights, but at least we did the right thing this time and won't have torture on our conscience I hope

This case was much more complicated than a straightforward deportation. The underpinning issue was about the use of evidence gained through torture. I hold no brief at all for this man but am pleased that I live in a society which values the rule of law. Look at Egypty, Syria, Iraq. It's right now that he's gone but it was after Jordan made substantial promises. We shouldn't pick and choose who we treat lawfully on the basis of whether we approve of their views that's what the Met is for

Is this the only Country in the world where it takes so long to deport anyone or is it just our legal system,other Countries don't seem to have this problem if you where an unwanted in USA or Australia you would be on the first plane back out of there I'm sure.

I bet that's an underestimate as well.

It is quite outrageous !

It's taken 1.7 million pounds and 8 years to deport this man. That's disgusting.

I just said that Brenda

Well, almost!

I am sorry his family did not go also to support him! We are still giving them homes but their neighbours are refusing to pay their council tax until they are moved.

When they moved into their present 4 bedroom house in a quiet, leafy suburb not far from where I live, he or his wife complained that the house was not clean. Have they never heard of elbow grease?

Apparently the neighbours of his remaining family are refusing to pay
their council tax. His family are on benefits.
According to the DM.

Pleased he's gone...took far too long in my opinion but I guess we can say we did it entirely by the book.

I am with you there whenim64 I was always concerned about the 'person' who accompanied him, never sure whether
male or female, and if it was his wife, is she also to be deported ?

I don't feel any sense of triumph about this, just quiet relief.