'Dangerous' cleric at the centre of al Qaeda activity

More terrorism have been revealed in the leaked findings of a tribunal which ruled he was "a truly dangerous individual" who should remain behind bars.

The ruling details how he lost his appeal to be freed from Belmarsh prison, where he is being held as a suspected terrorist. Mr Justice Collins, chairman of the Special Immigrations Appeals Commission, emphasised the threat Qatada is believed to pose.

He said: "Qatada was heavily involved, indeed was at the centre in the United Kingdom of terrorist activities associated with al Qaeda. He is a truly dangerous individual and these appeals are dismissed."

But it also emerged that Qatada had shown signs of co-operation in keeping Islamic terrorism off the streets of London during a series of talks with MI5 in 1996 and 1997

In one interview, he is said to have promised to "report anyone damaging the interests of this country". Later he reportedly insisted that those over whom he had influence were no risk to Britain's national security, and that he would not "bite the hand that fed him".

The commission announced Qatada had lost his appeal in January. The full ruling, divulged by Channel 4 News last night, reveals that in one interview: " He maintained a decision had been taken in Algeria not to mount operations against the UK."

In another interview, Qatada allegedly said he did not want London to become a centre for settling Islamic scores.

Qatada, a Jordanian national, showed "little love of the methodology and policies pursued by Osama bin Laden", according to an officer who interviewed him.

But, the ruling continues: "Since the attacks of 11 September 2001, his attitude has changed, although he was careful in any public utterances to avoid saying anything which committed him to encouragement of or in any way admitted involvement in violence here. He did, however, reiterate his views that to fight Jews even in the UK was acceptable."

The chairman pointed out that Qatada accepted he had influence over potentially violent extremists.

The commission continued: "We have no doubt that his beliefs are extreme and are indeed a perversion of Islam for the purposes of encouraging violence against non-Muslims and Muslims who are or have been supportive of the Americans in particular.

"It is not at all surprising that he has been believed by some to be the head of the al Qaeda organisation in Europe. We do not think the material supports that conclusion, but it does show a very active involvement with many groups and individuals linked with al Qaeda."

Qatada's lawyer has said his client "entirely denies" any involvement in terrorism.