Qatada deportation talks 'positive'

Talks with Jordan over deporting radical cleric Abu Qatada are "moving in a positive direction", Home Secretary Theresa May has said.

Speaking as she returned to the UK after meeting King Abdullah, Mrs May admitted the situation was "complicated", but said officials were now hoping to build on the progress she had made.

Qatada, who is considered a threat to the UK's national security, has been released from jail under a 22-hour curfew while the Government seeks assurances from Jordan that evidence gained through torture would not be used in any trial against him.

Mrs May said: "I have just returned from Jordan after constructive talks with the King and several ministers.

"Those talks will now continue at an official level and build on the progress I made this week.

"The Jordanian Government has been extremely helpful and will continue to be so.

"As everyone knows this is a complicated case that has lasted for a decade, but things are moving in a positive direction."

Mrs May met the King, the prime minister, the foreign minister, the minister for interior affairs, the minister of justice, the chief of police and the minister for prime ministry affairs and legislation during her three-day trip.