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April 25, 2006

UK: Home Office Allows Dangerous Foreign Criminals To Be At Large

We reported on October 31 last year of a major blunder on the part of the UK's Home Office, in which Charles Clarke (pictured), the Home Secretary did not extradite a terrorist wanted in an an Italian terror trial. This happened even though the 24-year old, Farj Hassan Faraj, had been in UK custody since 2002. The unnecessary obfuscation meant the terrorist remained in UK custody at UK taxpayer's expense, and as a consequence the trial in Italy collapsed. If the time between indictment and trial in Italy exceeds three years, no trial can be made.

But the news which is now being revealed about the incompetence of the Home Office, and its head, Charles Clarke, is truly astounding. As a result of idiocy, 1,023 foreign convicts, who should have been deported at the end of their prison sentences, have been set free in Britain, and have managed to disappear.

The figures are highly disturbing, especially considering the Home Office is charged to also protect against terrorism. Those now at large comprise:
3 murderers
9 rapists
5 paedophiles
7 convicted of other sex offences
57 convicted for violent offences
2 manslaughter
41 burglars
20 drug importers
54 convicted of assault
27 convicted of indecent assault

News is found in the BBC, and the Guardian.160 of those who were imprisoned were recommended for deportation as part of their sentencing, but of these, only 5 have been deported.

The matter came to light after an all-party group of MPs started asking questions last year in October. Today, Charles Clarke briefed reporters, and apologises for the errors, which happened between February 1999 and March 2006, but said that he would not resign. He said all efforts would be made to trace those who have since "disappeared".

But when asked if he believed all would be captured, he replied: "There are a large number of people involved. I can't say hand on heart that we will identify where each one of those is, but we are working on that very energetically."

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said he did not think Clarke should resign, but claimed he was "very, very shocked" by the disclosures.

David Davis, the Conservative shadow home secretary, said: "This astonishing admission by the Home Office is the latest in a long line of failures which have jeopardised the protection of the public....This serial incompetence beggars belief. The home secretary urgently needs to come to the House of Commons to explain the situation."

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) has, since the errors were discovered, managed to track down 107 of the total, leading to 20 deportations.

10 years ago, there were 4,259 foreign prisoners in Britain's jails. Now, that figure has rocketed to 10,265, a staggering one in 8 prisoners being foreign.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said the situation was "astonishing" and said: "My view is that heads should roll. There are too many people in the system who simply don't care. I fully support Charles Clarke in getting to the bottom of this."

Mr Blair's spokesman said that the prime minister found the situation to be "deeply regrettable", but said: "It is unreasonable to expect ministers to know what is going on in every nook and cranny in their department."

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at April 25, 2006 5:50 PM

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Posted by: Caratacus at April 25, 2006 11:38 PM

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