Abu Qatada deportation has become 'chaotic and farcical'

The deportation of radical cleric Abu Qatada has been thrown into doubt after the European Court of Human Rights said it had received a last-minute appeal.

The appeal by his lawyers was lodged with the court late last night, a day after the Home Office believed the deadline expired.

Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, described the situation as chaotic and called on Theresa May to return to the House of Commons to clarify the situation.