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BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, on Saturday won an appeal against attempts by the British government to deport him.

The vice president of the Upper Immigration Tribunal ruled that "the Secretary of State's decision... appears to have been entirely unnecessary," and that Sheikh Salah's appeal against deportation "succeeds on all grounds," the Middle East Monitor reported.

Mr Justice Ockelton said that the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, "was misled" and "there is no evidence that the danger perceived by the Secretary of State is perceived by any of the other countries where the appellant has been, nor, save for the very tardy indictment, is there any evidence that even Israel sees the danger that the Secretary of State sees."

Sheikh Raed Salah, 52, was detained on June 28 during a visit to Britain following an invitation by the Middle East Monitor to participate in a speaking tour.

At the time of his arrest a British government statement was issued to deport Salah from the country after it said he was forbidden to enter the country. Immigration authorities said they were unaware how he managed to enter Britain.

Salah has been living under a curfew in London after having spent a period in custody, and has had to report to a local police station daily.

He has also been banned from speaking in public, the Middle East Monitor said.

Director of the Middle East Monitor Dr. Daud Abdullah praised the decision by Mr. Justice Ockelton, noting that the legal official had seen through the "propaganda."