London, Oct. 15 : An Egyptian al-Qaeda suspect and his family have won permission to live in Britain — and claim hundreds in benefits a month.

According to The Sun, the British Government has granted Hany Youssef “discretionary leave to remain”, even as the Home Office admits he is on a UN list of people “belonging to or linked” to the terror group.

The decision means he can stay in Britain with his wife and five kids up to 2011. He is also free to claim housing benefit, child tax credits and Jobseekers’ Allowance.

They have already been living in a house in Hammersmith, West London, at taxpayers’ expense.

Youssef came here in 1994 and applied for asylum. He was held briefly in 1999 under anti-terror laws and Tony Blair said it was “crazy” he could not be deported.

Youssef received damages in 2004 after the High Court ruled he was unlawfully detained.

The Home Office twice apologised for delays dealing with his application. (ANI)