A radical Islamic cleric who has been accused of being a leading figure in al-Qaeda is starting a legal attempt to prevent his deportation from the UK. Abu Qatada, who is currently in prison, will try to persuade the Special Immigration Appeals Commission that he should not be sent to Jordan. It is the first test of a government agreement with another country meant to guarantee a deportee's safety. However Abu Qatada's lawyers will argue that it does not guarantee his safety. The SIAC has already described Abu Qatada as "a truly dangerous individual" at the centre of terrorist activities associated with al-Qaeda in the UK. Abu Qatada came to the UK with his family as a refugee in the mid-90s. He was originally detained under anti-terrorist measures in 2002. After the Law Lords ruled that detention unlawful, he was released and put on a control order. He was then re-arrested, with a view to deportation to Jordan, where he has been convicted of terrorist offences. The UK has signed an agreement with Jordan that anyone sent back there will not be tortured or killed. Abu's lost a lot of weight since he's been away from the welfare cheques.