Algerian terror suspect agrees to deportation

An Algerian terror suspect was deported from Britain yesterday after agreeing to return to his homeland.

The man, known only as "Mr V", is the first suspected terrorist to be returned to the north African state, the Home Office confirmed. He was acquitted in April last year of involvement in a plot to poison Londoners with ricin but had been held at Long Lartin maximum-security prison in Worcestershire while the Government negotiated terms of his return.

Mr V, who was granted anonymity by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, lived in the Manchester flat where Det Const Stephen Oake was stabbed to death by the terrorist Kamel Bourgass.

The man, the first of seven Algerians to return home, agreed to leave Britain after protesting at his "inhumane" treatment. Ministers had previously been unable to force Mr V and other suspects to Algeria because of fears they may face torture.

The Home Office said that Mr V had withdrawn his appeal against deportation.Other Algerians have also withdrawn their appeals and will be deported "as soon as possible".

A Home Office spokesman said: "Where a foreign national living in the UK poses a threat to this country we will seek to remove them. Our priority is to protect public safety and national security while upholding our international human rights obligations."

A source close to the Algerian, said: "He went voluntarily, not because of the work of the Government."