Abu Qatada back in jail after bail breach

Firebrand cleric Abu Qatada was returned to jail today after an immigration court ruled he breached the terms of his bail.

A panel of judges at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) was told the radical preacher plotted to leave Britain.

Qatada, 47, who was described by a judge as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe", was under 22-hour curfew until his arrest last month.

Mr Justice Mitting told a short hearing in central London that Qatada, whose real name is Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman, would be detained under immigration laws.

He said: "For the reasons outlined in the judgment, the Commission revokes bail and directs that Othman be detained under immigration powers..."

Neither Qatada nor his legal team were in court to heard the judgment.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was pleased with the verdict.

She said: "I'm pleased the court has agreed that Qatada should have his bail revoked.

"He poses a significant threat to our national security and I am pleased that he will be detained pending his deportation, which I'm working hard to secure."