§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Blunkett)Section 4 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, which amends section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, came into force on 1 April. The law now provides that a person can be deprived of his British nationality—provided that he has another nationality—if he has done anything seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the UK.
I confirm that I have now commenced action under the new provision by giving written notice to Mr Abu Hamza of my decision to make a deprivation order in respect of him. I am satisfied that his activities have been seriously prejudicial to this country's vital interests. It will be open to Mr Hamza to appeal against my decision. Any appeal will in the first instance be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.