Terror suspect wins right to stay in UK after refusing to reveal his true identity for 23 years
Tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money was spent on the case as he received legal aid
A TERROR suspect has won the right to stay in Britain despite repeatedly refusing to reveal his true identity for 23 years since he illegally entered the country.
In what is thought to be the first case of its kind, tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money was spent on it as he received legal aid.
The man, who has twice been ruled a threat to national security, has defeated repeated attempts to deport him by refusing to disclose his name.
Known only as B in court, the Algerian has used at least two false identities of “Nolidoni” and “Pierre Dumond” since entering the UK in 1993 and claiming asylum.
He even instructed his lawyers to use the Human Rights Act to argue he faced torture if sent back to his homeland.
The Home Secretary Amber Rudd is now considering her options on appealing the decision.
Throughout the case, he refused to comply with a series of court orders forcing him to reveal his identity – and was even sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of court.
It comes despite a ruling that stated in 2000 he was “actively involved in the procurement of telecommunications equipment and in the provision of air time for satellite telephones for the purpose of terrorist activity.”
In 2002, he was detained for three years over terror allegations with the last four months spent in Broadmoor Hospital.
He was released in 2005 and placed on a control order subject to a deportation order under anti-terror laws.
A later judgment in 2008, found that he had “played a leading role in facilitating communications for Algerian terrorists, as well as being responsible for the procurement of false documentation and high technology equipment”.
But, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) hearing B’s case has rejected the Home Office bid to strike out his legal claim to stay in the UK.
Government lawyers have also conceded the Home Secretary “can not procure the removal” of B which will be a blow to Ministers.
Tory MP Peter Bone last night said: “This must be driving the Home Office mad.
“If there is someone linked to terrorism we should have the right to deport them.
“I find how the legal system can be used to keep people from foreign countries flies in the face of what is right when the government and Home Secretary are trying to protect our citizens.”
A Home Office spokesman said last night: “Our priority will always be the safety and protection of the British public and we are extremely disappointed with SIAC’s judgment, particularly as they have twice ruled this individual to be of national security concern.”
He added: “We pursue every possible avenue to remove foreign nationals who threaten our security and are actively considering our options to appeal.”