David Lammy expressed his strong disapproval and shock following the accidental release of another foreign criminal from prison. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted broader deficiencies in the criminal justice system as a manhunt commenced for a 24-year-old Algerian man mistakenly freed from HMP Wandsworth on October 29, with the Metropolitan Police being notified on Tuesday.
This incident came to light after Mr. Lammy declined to disclose whether any asylum seekers had been released post the Hadush Kebatu scandal. The missing individual is confirmed not to be an asylum seeker. Mr. Lammy condemned the mistaken release, emphasizing the urgency of the ongoing manhunt to return the individual to custody.
Acknowledging the need for accountability and improvement in safeguarding, Mr. Lammy initiated stringent measures to address accidental releases. He commissioned an independent investigation, led by Dame Lynne Owens, to identify and rectify the systemic flaws in the current criminal justice system.
During a tense exchange at PMQs, Mr. Lammy faced pressure to provide details on any additional accidental releases. The Ethiopian national, Hadush Kebatu, who had been wrongfully released from HMP Chelmsford, was repatriated after committing a sexual assault. Calls for Mr. Lammy to update MPs on the recent incident have surfaced.
Jess Brown-Fuller, the Lib Dem justice spokeswoman, criticized the Ministry of Justice for its repeated errors, demanding a comprehensive explanation for the recent oversight. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the release of the Algerian man in error and is actively seeking his re-incarceration.
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