LONDON (Reuters) -- European judges on Wednesday rejected an attempt by a cleric once described as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe" to appeal against Britain's decision to deport him to Jordan to face trial on terrorism charges.

The European Court of Human Rights rejected Abu Qatada's request for his case to be reviewed by a panel of the court's most senior judges.

Twice convicted in his absence in Jordan of involvement in terrorism plots, the preacher is still a national security risk, Britain says, and should be deported before London hosts the Olympic Games in July and August.

Abu Qatada was born in Bethlehem when the West Bank was under Jordanian rule. He holds Jordanian nationality.