The European Court of Human Rights this week rejected a request for an appeal against deportation brought by radical cleric Abu Qatada to be heard by the Grand Chamber of the Strasbourg court.
Qatada, who is currently being held in Belmarsh prison, has fought a decade-long battle against extradition to Jordan where he has been sentenced in absentia.
The appeal against deportation hinged on concerns that Qatada could potentially face torture if he is returned to Jordan, or that evidence obtained under torture could be used against him.
On January 17 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Qatada would not be ill-treated if he was returned but found that Britain could not carry out the deportation unless Jordan gave assurances that his retrial would not include evidence obtained by torture.
Home Secretary Theresa May has since said that she has received such assurances from the Jordanian government.
But Qatada's legal team and legal and human rights groups have questioned the worth of such so-called "memoranda of understanding" - particularly in light of new allegations of torture which emerged from Jordan this week.
Last month the cleric was arrested by the UK Border Agency in preparation for his proposed deportation.
But the case descended into farce after it was suggested that the Home Office had miscalculated when a three-month deadline for an appeal had expired.
Lawyers for Qatada argued that the arrest, on the morning of April 17, pre-empted the deadline which did not expire until midnight that night.
On Wednesday the Strasbourg judges found that the appeal had been in time but rejected it. The case for extradition will now proceed through the English courts.
September 16, 1993 Jordanian national Abu Qatada (Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman) claims asylum on his arrival in Britain on a forged passport.
June 1994
The father of five is recognised as a refugee and allowed to stay in Britain due to the fact he had been tortured in Jordan.
March 1995
The "radical cleric" issues a fatwa, or religious edict, justifying the killing of converts from Islam in Algeria and their wives and children.
May 1998
Abu Qatada applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.
April 1999
The cleric is convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.
October 1999
Abu Qatada advocates the killing of Jews and praises attacks on the US in a speech in London.
February 2001
Abu Qatada is questioned over his alleged connections to a German terror cell. Police find £170,000 cash in his home, including £805 in an envelope labelled "For the mojahedin in Chechnya."
December 2001
Abu Qatada becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in Acton, west London.
October 2002
The cleric is arrested at a council house in south London and detained without trial in Belmarsh high-security prison.
March 2005
He is granted conditional bail and is placed on a control order.
August 2005
Qatada is arrested under immigration rules as the government seeks to deport him to Jordan.
December 2005
He makes a video appeal to the kidnappers of British peace activist Norman Kember in Iraq. The recording, made inside Full Sutton prison near York, is broadcast in the Middle East.
April 2008
The Court of Appeal rules that deporting Qatada would breach his human rights as evidence to be used against him in Jordan may have been obtained through torture.
May 2008
The immigration tribunal grants bail but imposes a 22-hour-a-day curfew.
June 2008
Qatada is released from Long Lartin jail.
November 2008
He is rearrested after the Home Office claims at an immigration hearing that it fears he plans to abscond.
December 2008
Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after hearing secret evidence allegedly showing that the risk of him absconding has increased.
February 18 2009
Law Lords back the government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments. It is ruled that Qatada can be deported to Jordan.
February 19 2009
Qatada is awarded £2,500 in compensation by the ECHR after the court finds that his detention without trial in Britain was in breach of his human rights.
January 2012
ECHR judges rule the cleric can be sent back to Jordan with diplomatic assurances, but that he cannot be deported while "there remains real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him."
February 6 2012
SIAC rules he can be released on bail despite finding that he poses a risk to national security.
February 9 2012
David Cameron and King Abdullah of Jordan agree on the "importance of finding an effective resolution" to the case, Downing Street says.
February 13 2012
Abu Qatada is released on bail from Long Lartin prison.
April 17 2012
He is rearrested as the government prepares to deport him to Jordan. Home Office officials thought Abu Qatada's three-month deadline to appeal to the ECHR had expired on April 16. Home Secretary Theresa May tells MPs about fresh assurances that the radical cleric will get a fair trial.
April 18 2012
The ECHR says it has received a last-minute appeal from Abu Qatada's lawyers. They say the deadline to appeal ran out on April 17. May disputes this.
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