Radical cleric 'instigated terror'

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada is "a truly dangerous individual" and was a key figure in the UK in al Qaida related terrorist activities, a special tribunal found.

The Special Immigrations Appeals Commission announced in January that Qatada had lost his appeal to be freed from detention in Belmarsh prison, south-east London, as a suspected terrorist.

In the full ruling on the appeal, obtained by Channel 4 News, Commission chairman Mr Justice Collins made clear just how dangerous the tribunal considered him to be.

There was sufficient evidence to conclude that Qatada "has been concerned in the instigation of acts of international terrorism", the chairman found.

Mr Justice Collins stated: "We have indicated why we have formed the view that the case made against the appellant is established. Indeed, were the standard higher than reasonable suspicion, we would have had no doubt that it was established.

"The appellant was heavily involved, indeed was at the centre in the United Kingdom of terrorist activities associated with al Qaida. He is a truly dangerous individual and these appeals are dismissed."

Intriguingly, the full ruling also details how in the mid-1990s - before his views appeared to harden - Qatada had a series of conversations with an MI5 officer in which he indicated that he was willing to co-operate with the British authorities in keeping Islamic terrorism off the streets of London.

In one interview Qatada is said to have promised to "report anyone damaging the interests of this country."

In a later interview, Qatada is said to have insisted that those over whom he had influence were no risk to Britain's national security, and that he would not "bite the hand that fed him."

The Commission's ruling reveals: "In his statement, the appellant (Qatada) not surprisingly relies heavily on three interviews he had with a member of the security services in June and December 1996 and February 1997. The first of these records his passionate exposition of jihad and the spread of Islam to take over the world.

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