Pressure was yesterday piled on Deputy PM David “calamity” Lammy over the mistaken jail release of yet another illegal migrant sex offender, reports BritPanorama.
Algerian Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was due to be deported last Wednesday but was accidentally let out of HMP Wandsworth in South London. As of last night, he was still on the run.
The same prison also mistakenly released a convicted fraudster on Monday—the same day he was sentenced—adding to the scrutiny of the Justice Secretary’s handling of the prison system.
This incident follows weeks after the search for another wrongly freed migrant sex attacker, Hadush Kebatu, raising significant concerns about the procedures surrounding prisoner releases.
Justice Secretary Lammy had previously claimed to have implemented the “strongest checks ever” on prison releases. However, Tory shadow minister Robert Jenrick criticized the situation, describing it as a “clown show” under Lammy’s oversight.
“Tory Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, who was filling in for Kemi Badenoch during Prime Minister’s Questions, pressed Lammy on the situation, having been informed of Kaddour-Cherif’s release shortly before the session. Lammy, however, deflected Cartlidge’s inquiries and instead focused on criticizing the Tory record in government.
Following the conclusion of PMQs, news of Kaddour-Cherif’s release triggered unrest among MPs, prompting calls for Lammy to return to the chamber to address the unfolding situation. Allies of Lammy clarified he was made aware of the release overnight but deemed it inappropriate to comment prior to a police statement.
Scotland Yard confirmed that Kaddour-Cherif was sentenced last November to an 18-month community order for indecent exposure and was captured on police bodycam during his arrest in September for breaching his sex offender register conditions.
Commander Paul Trevers stated, “It is just over 24 hours since we were informed of Cherif’s release. We launched an immediate manhunt. Cherif has had a six-day head start but we are working urgently to close the gap and establish his whereabouts.”
Later, Lammy expressed his “outrage and dismay” following the announcement of Kaddour-Cherif’s release. In addition, HMP Wandsworth disclosed that Billy Smith, 35, a convicted fraudster, was inadvertently released on Monday, compounding the missteps surrounding the prison’s release protocols.
Such incidents raise serious questions about the effectiveness of current oversight systems within the UK’s justice framework, particularly concerning the release of offenders deemed too dangerous to remain within the community. The string of errors underscores a pressing need for scrutiny of the administrative capabilities in maintaining public safety and confidence in the justice system.
In the broader context, the recent releases highlight a significant ongoing discussion in the UK regarding immigration policies, prisoner rights, and the balance between public safety and human rights.
A new understanding must emerge about how justice is administered, particularly in a climate where the public’s trust in legal authorities hangs in the balance. The government will need to reckon with these challenges as they continue to evolve.
