David Lammy is poised to undergo questioning in Parliament following an incident where an asylum seeker, a convicted sex offender named Hadush Kebatu, was erroneously released from prison rather than being transferred to an immigration detention center. Kebatu, an Ethiopian national who committed a sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl, was supposed to serve 12 months in prison but was mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford. Subsequently, he journeyed from Chelmsford to London and was apprehended in Finsbury Park.
In response to the situation, the father of Kebatu’s victim expressed the strong desire for the offender to be promptly deported, a sentiment echoed by the Justice Secretary who indicated that deportation proceedings are expected to take place in the upcoming week. Lammy confirmed that Kebatu will undergo police interrogation before deportation, assuring that the deportation process is on track for completion during the current week.
Furthermore, Lammy announced intentions to conduct an independent investigation into the incident, which he plans to disclose in Parliament the following day, emphasizing that Kebatu should have been in line for deportation and not released into the community. The mishap has sparked significant criticism from opposition figures, with demands for a swift national inquiry into the oversight that allowed Kebatu’s release.
Various politicians, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and members of Parliament David Lammy and Shabana Mahmood, have been called upon to provide explanations for the system failure that led to Kebatu’s release. Additionally, Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf expressed shock over the situation and questioned the confidence victims of sexual assault could have in the government.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed an investigation to determine the errors that occurred, emphasizing the need to prevent such incidents from recurring. A prison officer has been suspended pending investigation. Kebatu’s criminal actions sparked protests in Epping, leading to demonstrations nationwide regarding the accommodation of asylum seekers.