Delays in Qatada case cost Britain money it can ill afford

DESPITE the Home Secretary, Theresa May, saying a few weeks ago that Abu Qatada would be extradited to Jordan “in a few weeks”, this objectionable excuse for a human being is still living the life of Riley in prison at a cost to the long-suffering taxpayers of over £1,000 per week with yet another hearing into his fate not being heard until October – another five months – another £20,000 of much-needed money simply thrown away.

Abu Qatada’s latest bid to be released on bail was refused by Mr Justice Mitting who said, at a Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) hearing that his release would be “exceptionally problematic” during heightened security at the Olympic Games. The terror threat during the Games could not be risked.

However, this does not seem to deter Qatada’s lawyers who say they will take his fight against deportation back to Europe if Siac also rules against him at the October tribunal. Edward Fitzgerald QC, who represents Qatada, said the case would need a “significant” amount of time, at odds with Mr Justice Mitting’s view, who had said: “This case has gone on for an unconscionable amount of time and must be brought to a conclusion.”

No shortage of taxpayers’ cash here, no, apparently it’s always available in abundance, although common sense, decency and concern over the welfare of Britain’s citizens seems to be in very short supply. Some estimates put the cost of keeping Qatada in the UK in jail, plus all his legal costs of the fight to deport him at more than £3m.

At any time but especially during the current severe recession, this is an inexcusable and appalling waste of money yet the Government continues to allow this and ignores the wishes of the majority who would halt it immediately. How do they justify this expenditure? Just how do they expect people to cut back on their living standards when the Government and legal establishment fritter money away with such gay abandon?

Does Qatada’s legal team really believe he has the right to stay in Britain? Perhaps they would welcome him as their next door neighbour. Do they really believe the continual claims they make against his deportation is a proper and fair use of taxpayer’s money? Do they believe all this is in the public interest?

It defies all logic and morality but the legal establishment appear to have granted themselves the power to simply help themselves to other people’s money and hold such providers in contempt, for how can normal, unqualified people possibly be in a position to criticise their bloated, self-assumed superiority?

Could the fact that this behaviour is allowed to continue and fester for so long have any connection with the fact that too many MPs have law degrees?

If, and I do stress “if”, Abu Qatada is finally deported to Jordan, will his legal team, who stress his welfare is their major concern, forsake all legal aid payments and accompany him to Jordan to continue their long fight for his rights?

Perhaps they will ask the Jordanian government for financial assistance.

It would not surprise me if our weak and stupid Government had not already agreed to pay all the court costs incurred by Jordan in gratitude for them taking him.

If this is called democracy then the time has certainly arrived for our votes to be given to a party who will actually practise it.