Abu Qatada Debate

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Department: Home Office

Abu Qatada

Patrick Mercer Excerpts
Thursday 19th April 2012

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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Let me say to all hon. Members who are intending to repeat this question that I have already answered it. [Hon. Members: “No you have not.”] The Government’s position is absolutely clear—the deadline was on Monday 16 April. The only arbiters, however, and the only people who can decide on the deadline and on whether to accept a referral are the judges sitting on the panel of the Grand Chamber. They will give us their determination in due course.

Patrick Mercer Portrait Patrick Mercer (Newark) (Con)
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Does the Home Secretary agree that Abu Qatada and his lawyers are doing nothing more or less than attempting to belittle and thwart the British judicial system—an attempt to terrorise just as surely as is laying a bomb or firing a bullet? If so, how will this be reflected at the Brighton conference?