LONDON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A Conservative British lawmaker is calling for a review of human rights laws after a suspected al-Qaida terrorist was let out of jail.
Abu Qatada, once believed to be Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe, was allegedly tortured while in custody, nullifying the information he gave the government thereafter, European human rights laws dictate. He was let out of prison as a result and also used those same human rights laws to successfully fight off deportation, meaning he can remain in the country where he sought to carry out terrorist plots, The Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.
Now, the British government will spend 5 million pounds ($7.9 million) per year on around-the-clock surveillance on Qatada.
Chris Grayling, a Conservative member of Parliament, told the House of Commons: "All of us believe the law should not operate in this way and this case underlines my view that there is a very real need for major changes to the way the European human rights framework operates."
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the matter was a threat to national security.
"I am completely fed up with the fact that this man is still at-large in our country," Cameron said. "He has no right to be there, we believe he is a threat to our country. We have moved heaven and earth to try to comply with every single dot and comma of every single convention to get him out of our country. It is extremely frustrating and I share the British people's frustration with the situation we find ourselves in."
