David Lammy is expected to face intense questioning in Parliament following an incident where an asylum seeker with a prior conviction for sexual offenses was mistakenly released from prison instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center.
Hadush Kebatu, a citizen of Ethiopia, had been serving a 12-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and was erroneously released from HMP Chelmsford on a Friday morning in September.
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 a Sunday morning.
The victim’s father expressed his desire for the immediate deportation of the sex offender, a sentiment echoed by the Justice Secretary, who indicated that deportation proceedings should commence within the week.
David Lammy, in a statement to the media, emphasized the necessity for Kebatu to be questioned by the police before deportation, assuring that the deportation process was still on track and expected to occur promptly.
Furthermore, Lammy disclosed plans for an independent investigation into the matter, which he intends to present in Parliament the following day, emphasizing that such an error, leading to the offender’s release into the community, should never have transpired.
The mistake has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures, with demands for a swift national inquiry into the oversight that allowed Kebatu to walk free. Various politicians have called for accountability and improvements to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
The Prime Minister has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the error, emphasizing the importance of avoiding similar occurrences in the future. A prison officer has been suspended pending the investigation.
Kebatu’s criminal actions triggered protests and counter-protests in Epping, resulting in demonstrations outside accommodations for asylum seekers across the country.
