Abu Qatada will be free despite the fact the British Home Secretary considers him ``a real threat to our security''.

The Home Office said it disagreed with freeing the preacher on bail, while politicians and think-tanks described it as an ``astonishing'' decision with serious implications for national security.

Mr Qatada has been held for 6 1/2 years, more than any other detainee in modern immigration history, while fighting deportation to Jordan.

But he will be released from the maximum security prison where he is being held after applying for bail when human rights judges in Europe ruled he could not be deported without assurances from Jordan that evidence gained through torture would not be used against him.

The Home Office clashed with senior immigration judge Mr Justice Mitting yesterday, saying: ``Qatada should remain in detention, our view has not changed''.

A spokesman said: ``This is a dangerous man who we believe poses a real threat to our security and who has not changed in his views or attitude to the UK. This is not the end of the road and we are continuing to consider our legal options in response to the European Court's ruling.''

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper urged Home Secretary Theresa May ``to explain urgently what action she is taking on the national security implications of this judgment''.