Radical preacher Abu Qatada`s family leaves UK

London: Britain`s Home Office says the family of radical cleric Abu Qatada, who was deported to Jordan, has left the UK.

The 53-year-old Abu Qatada was deported from Britain last month to be retried on terror charges following a lengthy extradition battle. The cleric was convicted in absentia of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis, Americans and other Westerners in Jordan in two alleged foiled plots in 1999 and 2000, but will have a new trial. The Home Office said on Thursday that Abu Qatada`s wife and five children had agreed to drop a longstanding application to stay in the UK and have now left the country. They are expected to join him in Jordan. PTI