David Lammy expressed his strong disapproval and shock following the accidental release of another foreign criminal from prison. The Deputy Prime Minister criticized the criminal justice system’s shortcomings, as a 24-year-old Algerian man was mistakenly freed from HMP Wandsworth on October 29, prompting a current manhunt by the Metropolitan Police.
This incident came to light after David Lammy faced scrutiny for not disclosing information about asylum seekers being released following the Hadush Kebatu scandal. Lammy clarified that the released individual is not an asylum seeker and condemned the error, emphasizing the need for better protection of victims and accountability to the public.
In response to the situation, Lammy implemented stricter measures to prevent such errors and initiated an independent investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens to identify and rectify systemic failures in the criminal justice system. The aim is to improve safeguards and ensure the public’s safety.
During a tense exchange in Parliament, Lammy faced questions about additional accidental releases of asylum seekers since the release of Hadush Kebatu, who was repatriated to Ethiopia after being mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford. While being informed about the Algerian man’s release, Lammy delayed sharing details to allow for a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Criticism also came from Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Jess Brown-Fuller, calling the government’s repeated mistakes concerning and demanding a thorough explanation for the recurring errors. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the error in the release of the Algerian man and is actively searching to locate and return him to custody.
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