PM pushes Jordan on Qatada
David Cameron called King Abdullah of Jordan this afternoon in an attempt to accelerate efforts to deport the radical cleric Abu Qatada.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to King Abdullah of Jordan by telephone this afternoon. They discussed the ECHR ruling on Abu Qatada and the PM explained the frustrating and difficult postion that the ruling had created for the UK. The PM complimented the King on the close and effective collaboration between Britain and Jordan on this case over a number of years, and noted that the Court had endorsed the UK-Jordanian MoU on deportation with assurances. They both welcomed close and detailed co-operation since the ruling between the Jordanian Government, and the UK Home Office and the Foreign Office.
"They agreed on the importance of finding an effective solution to this case, in the interests of both Britain and Jordan."
The move comes after the Home Office yesterday confirmed that minister James Brokenshire would travel to Jordan next week to press the issue with the Jordanian government.