Until 9/11, Qatada was an informant working with MI5. They gave him a safe house and immunity from prosecution. We ignore his conviction (in his absence) in Jordan when it suited us to do so. After 9/11 and under pressure from the Americans, we dropped him.
He still has not been prosecuted for any crime or convicted of anything here.
The problem with the Qatada matter (and many similar cases) stems from the time when permission to settle in the UK ceased to become a privilege and instead became a right. It started with the right of Commonwealth citizens to settle here and has greatly expanded under Human Rights legislation. Few nations outside the EU afford foreigners the almost unfettered right to settle and see residence in their countries as a privilege which has to be earned and, in many cases, can be withdrawn at any time. Whilst foreigners of dubious origin and who have no connection with this country have the “right” to remain here cases such as Qatada will always exist.
In mid-December 2012 the King of Jordan visited the UK. The press were then saying that the Qatada issue would now soon be resolved. Seems the King didn't have much sway.
How long should it take Jordan to put in writing what is needed?