David Lammy is expected to face tough questioning in Parliament following an incident where an asylum seeker, who had been convicted of a sexual offense, was mistakenly released from prison instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center.
Hadush Kebatu, originally from Ethiopia, received a 12-month sentence in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl but was erroneously released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning.
Kebatu, who was staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, at the time of the assault, traveled from Chelmsford to London and was apprehended in Finsbury Park on Sunday morning.
The victim’s father expressed his desire for Kebatu to be promptly deported, a sentiment shared by the Justice Secretary who indicated that deportation procedures would be initiated in the upcoming week.
David Lammy stated that Kebatu must undergo police interrogation before deportation, assuring that the process will proceed as planned and is expected to be completed within the week.
Furthermore, Lammy announced intentions for an independent investigation into the incident, to be presented in Parliament on Monday, emphasizing that Kebatu should have been in line for deportation without being released into the community.
Criticism from opposition politicians has been severe, with demands for a swift national inquiry into the error that allowed Kebatu’s release. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp expressed astonishment at the Labour Government’s oversight in releasing Kebatu.
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, confirmed the initiation of an investigation to determine the cause of the mistake, emphasizing the necessity to prevent such occurrences in the future.
A prison officer has been suspended pending an investigation. Kebatu, who entered the UK in June through a small boat, left prison with personal funds but lacked a discharge grant for living expenses.
Kebatu’s criminal acts led to protests and counter-protests in Epping, culminating in demonstrations outside asylum seeker accommodations across the country.