A terror suspect said to have direct links with Osama bin Laden has been freed on bail to Sussex after spending more than seven years in jail awaiting deportation.

The development followed a successful application to the Court of Appeal which overturned an earlier ruling that he could be sent back to Algeria.

The Government has claimed in court that the man, who can be referred to only as "U", was a leading organiser of a major terror group.

His followers are said to have plotted to bomb the Christmas market in Strasbourg in 2000 and also to have been involved in an earlier plan to attack Los Angeles airport.

The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) concluded last year that there were "credible grounds" for believing the Government's claims that U had links to Osama bin Laden and held a "senior position" at a mujahedin training camp in Afghanistan.

The terror group said to have been formed and led by U had links with Al Qaida, according to Siac.

It cannot be reported because of anonymity restrictions imposed by Siac.

The commission also banned publication of the exact details of the man's release and even the town where he will now live.