h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yes and it is also fair to say that tracing Abu Qatada's phone calls, would have been a useful source of information for the security services. So perhaps in the past he was more useful alive than dead, although the UK government have now been trying to deport him for some time.

We really want this guy gone don't we? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17076942

"Home Secretary Theresa May is to travel to Jordan in an effort to strike a deal over the deportation of Abu Qatada."

The thing I don't get about that is this:

Picture the scene: we really, really want this beardy git back where he came from, ideally with his wife and four kids too so that you and I are no longer having to pay his family's £1,900 a month rent (!). Jordan presumably want him back.

So we say "Hey, Jordan, we'll send him back, as long as you promise you won't use any torture evidence against him Deal? "

And the unbelievably obtuse Jordanians go "no, sorry, no deal".

And our guys go " no, I don't think you quite understand. We WILL NOT give him back to you... unless you promise not to use torture evidence against him, once he's safely BACK IN YOUR COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT "

And the Jordanians go "Nope, not promising that."

Really? Seriously? Just how hard do we have to at these people before they get with the programme?

Jordan couldn't give a hoot about Qatada. It's Jordan that's in the strong negotiating position here. I expect we'll see a fairly major arms deal done with the Jordanians a few months after they take Qatada back. They already have nearly 400 Challenger I tanks.

He's certainly not in the same class as Peter Andre.

BOOM! Abu Qatada! (to the tune of 'ave a banana)

Unfortunately, I can forsee the situation where there could be a backlash here in the UK should AQ be removed and sent to Jordan. And quite possibly Jordan could become a dodgy destination for anyone who appears to be British to travel to as well.

It seems to me that this is a no win / no win situation.

PP.

I think it now turns more on whether they will use the evidence from tortured witnesses against him at his trial in Jordan.

British judges are quite hot on not using torture evidence in trials, mainly due to the unfortunate tendency of people to say any old rubbish just to stop being tortured.

sprout

"Jordan could become a dodgy destination for anyone who appears to be British to travel to as well"

Yeah, 'cos it wasn't at all dodgy before.

Peter Andre isn't keen on going back there.

>>Peter Andre isn't keen on going back there.<<


BOOM! Abu Qatada! (to the tune of 'ave a banana)