Morning:
14°c
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
Islamic cleric Abu Hamza's extradition delayed by gangrene in stump of arm
Last updated at 15:37pm on 16.05.07Hook-handed Islamic extremist Abu Hamza has contracted gangrene in the stump of his left arm which could delay his extradition to the United States.
Hamza was due to face a four-day hearing at Woolwich Crown Court to decide whether he should be sent to the US to face terrorism charges.
His legal team fears he could be held with other al Qaeda suspects and possibly tortured at the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
On Monday he was taken from his cell at Belmarsh for an operation under general anaesthetic at a London hospital where surgeons removed one and a half inches of bone.
Hamza, 48, is serving a seven-year jail term at Belmarsh high security prison for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred
Today Hamza appeared tired and pale in the dock with heavy bandaging around the base of his left arm.
Senior District Judge Timothy Workman adjourned the case for consultations to see if Hamza would be fit enough to attend and understand the detailed proceedings.
Hamza, 48, was jailed for seven years in February last year for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred.
In later hearings at the Old Bailey he was also made liable for more than £1 million of legal aid he had received for his defence costs.
The court heard that Hamza had filed "inaccurate and false information" about his financial interests, claiming poverty when he was still paying towards his children's private school fees.
Hamza had been arrested on a extradition warrant issued by the US government as long ago as May 2004.
He is wanted to face trial for his alleged support of al Qaeda and charges said to involve a hostage-taking conspiracy in the Yemen.
Extradition was put on hold pending his Old Bailey trial and his prolonged but unsuccessful attempt to appeal.
Today his counsel, Alun Jones QC, told the judge he needed time to see his client following his operation.
Mr Jones said: "We can't put a medical certificate before the court because we don't know who the doctors are.
He had been advised by doctors last December that he would have to have an operation...
"What he has in his high security unit is a lot of metal surfaces. When he moves around he easily gets cuts and minor injuries to his arms which causes the onset of infection.
"When he got back to Belmarsh he was told that his cell was to be changed, which was unexpected, and his papers moved for him.
"It takes him several hours to organise his legal papers, at the best of times, with his disability."
Hugo Keith, representing the US authorities, said he had sympathy for Hamza who clearly needed time for recuperation.
The case was adjourned until later today.
Reader views (5)
Ship him to Guantanamo. It is the least we can do for him. The climate change will do him good, no doubt and you can surely use the extra jail space.
- Ed B, Hanover, MA USA
Be rid of him and don't waste tax payer's money.
Guantanamo sounds the best option!
- Shirley Forrester, London, England
By hook or by crook make this man pay.
- Fred, Dubai
Ship him to the US and be done with him, why should the British tax payer pay for his medical expenses?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
I take it this operation was on the NHS and not paid for out of the money he amassed whilst claiming benefits in the UK?
- We, Kent
