Peston: Why Wasn’t Kaddour-Cherif Deported?
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, an Algerian sex offender mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, had overstayed his visa. This situation raises concerns about the complex interaction between visa regulations and the criminal justice system, which is likely to alarm MPs.
Explanation from Official Sources
The main reason Kaddour-Cherif was not deported is that criminal proceedings against him were still ongoing. The government generally does not deport individuals while their criminal cases are active, unless the police and Crown Prosecution Service agree to it.
"The government does not remove or deport people while criminal proceedings are ongoing, unless there is agreement with the police and Crown Prosecution Service."
Deportation Thresholds and Proceedings
None of Kaddour-Cherif's sentences met the automatic deportation threshold, which requires a custodial sentence of 12 months or more. Nevertheless, a stage one notification for deportation proceedings was initiated earlier this year, due to his repeated offenses, which were considered harmful to the public interest.
- In November 2024, he was convicted of indecent exposure.
- He received an 18-month community order.
- He was also placed on the sex offenders register.
Context on Deportation Policy
Officially, deportation is triggered by custodial sentences lasting at least 12 months, but authorities can start initial deportation steps in cases involving repeated offenses deemed detrimental to public safety.
Related Question Raised
"Why are foreign criminals being paid to leave the UK?"
This question reflects broader public debates about how the UK handles foreign offenders.
Author’s summary: The failure to deport Kaddour-Cherif illustrates challenges in UK policy where ongoing proceedings and sentence thresholds restrict timely removal of foreign offenders, raising serious public safety concerns.