Britain moves to deport militant cleric

LONDON, July 21 (UPI) -- Britain has begun proceedings to deport Jordanian-born militant Islamist cleric Abu Qatada, a man described as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said Britain has undertaken a memorandum of understanding with Jordan to accept Qatada, but only on the condition his human rights will not be breached.

However, even if the agreement with Jordan is finalized, Home Office sources told the Financial Times deportations could take years to implement because of court challenges.

Qatada is known to have given religious advice to Richard Reid, the British "shoe bomber" who attempted to blow-up an airliner in 2001.

Qatada was described by one British judge as a "truly dangerous individual" and is currently subject to a control order restricting his freedom and his ability to contact people outside his family, The Evening Standard said.