Deportation of Abu Qatada

[beornottobe]

May the public please know who are the lawyers acting on behalf of Abu Qatada?
Also, unless he has been funding this using his own funds to defend his case in last 10 years, may the public know how much has this case cost in legal aid so far.
Furthermore, if his presence is according to Home Office not conducive to public good, how come he has been allowed to claim public funds and eligible to legal aid?


Can someone explain?!

[Greenie]

If he is entitled to legal aid then this is because his case passes the merits test for legal aid. The fact that the case was got as far as the grand chamber of the ECtHR and indeed the found that removal would breach his rights under the convention, shows that the case clearly had merit . Just because the government considers deportation is conducive to the public good doesn't mean that a person is not entitled to legal aid to challenge that.

i am sure you can easily find out who is solicitors are but whether you can find out whether his case is funded by legal aid and how much the case has cost is another matter.

[beornottobe]

it has been confirmed few days ago in parliament that he has been receiving legal aid throughout this process.