LONDON - , The British government asked the Jordanian authorities to consider pardoning radical cleric Abu Qatada, it has emerged in court. But an appeal hearing was told that Jordan said that would not be possible and he would have to stand trial there, according to BBC. Jordan also refused a UK request to ensure evidence from torture was not used against him, a judge heard. Abu Qatada is challenging Home Secretary Theresa May’s decision to order his deportation to Jordan. His appeal to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission is likely to be the last in his seven-year legal battle and is expected to last eight days.
The UK says he is a threat to security but his lawyers question Jordanian assurances over whether he would face a fair trial absent of evidence gained through torture.Anthony Layden, a former British ambassador to Libya who specialises in negotiating diplomatic assurances, gave evidence at the hearing and revealed details of the talks, which were held in Jordan. Under cross-examination by Edward Fitzgerald QC, for Abu Qatada, Mr Layden agreed that the possibility of a pardon was explored by James Brokenshire, the then security minister. The pardon was being sought because the evidence against the cleric was “granted by torture”, he agreed.Mr Fitzgerald asked: “The British government was content for him to have a pardon on the basis that the evidence against him had been obtained by torture?” “I don’t think that I would put it quite like that,” said Mr Layden.“You were asking whether there could be a pardon before he goes back?” said Mr Fitzgerald. “Yes. Or that he would get a pardon after he goes back.” Abu Qatada has been convicted in absentia of involvement in a plot to cause explosions on Western and Israeli targets in Jordan, to coincide with the millennium celebrations.However, if returned to Jordan he would be retried for the same offences.