Abu Qatada lost his bid to have his appeal over deportation heard by Europe's top human rights judges.
The ruling means proceedings to send him back to Jordan can begin in a British court after months of wrangling.
A panel of five judges rejected the radical cleric's claim that he faced torture if sent back to his homeland and denied him the chance to appeal deportation at the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights.
It did, however, rule his application was made in time, in contradiction of what Home Secretary Theresa May claimed.
A spokesman for the court said: "The panel found that the request had been submitted within the three-month time limit for such requests.
"However, it considered that the request should be refused."
Mrs May said: "I am pleased by the European Court's decision. The Qatada case will now go through the British courts.
"I am confident the assurances we have from Jordan mean we can put Qatada on a plane and get him out of Britain."
Qatada's legal team was challenging the court's decision that the 51-year-old could be sent back to Jordan with diplomatic assurances that he would not be tortured.
His lawyers can appeal the ruling in a process that could take many months.
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