Ex-terror detainee in drug scare

Abu Rideh was released from Broadmoor high security hospital

A foreign terror suspect placed under a control order has been treated for a drug overdose, his lawyer has said.

Abu Rideh was admitted to hospital on Saturday following "a very serious overdose of pills" and released on Monday, Gareth Peirce said.

Mr Rideh, who had been detained under anti-terror laws since December 2001, was freed from Broadmoor this month.

He is among 10 suspects whose lawyers have gone to the High Court to challenge the control orders.

The orders impose conditions including electronic tagging, night-time curfews, a ban on internet and mobile phone use, and curbs on movement and meetings with people.

Conditions

Jordan-born Palestinian Mr Rideh, preacher Abu Qatada, and eight unnamed suspects are held under the control orders.

Most of the men were previously held at London's Belmarsh prison.

Legislation introducing control orders was passed after prolonged Parliamentary "ping-pong" between the Commons and Lords.

Ms Peirce said the orders were proving difficult to work with.

"It has been continuous crisis management for the past 10 days," she said.

Four of the terror suspects had suffered acute psychiatric or other medical crises, she said.

The Home Office has said "teething problems" were inevitable with the orders but that they are being solved.