AN MP has claimed Jordanian officials have given the Government "all the assurances it needs" to deport radical cleric Abu Qatada.
Keith Vaz said yesterday officials told him they have written to Home Secretary Theresa May offering all the assurances the Home Office was seeking in its bid to deport the terror suspect described by a judge as Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe.
Last night, the Home Office said Mr Vaz was wrong and no deal had been agreed with Jordan.
Qatada was released from jail under a 22-hour curfew in February after human rights judges in Europe ruled he could not be deported without assurances that evidence gained through torture would not be used against him.
Mr Vaz, chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "Parliament and the public are very concerned at the delay in the deportation of Abu Qatada.
"It now appears that the Jordanian authorities at the very highest levels have given our Government all the assurances it needs."
Jordanian officials told Mr Vaz of the letter giving the assurances after he wrote to King Abdullah, he said.
Qatada was released from Long Lartin high-security jail in Evesham, Worcestershire, on February 13.
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