The home secretary has requested to review all official documents regarding Abdul Ezedi, the suspect of the Clapham chemical attack, who was granted asylum despite having a previous conviction for sexual assault.
On Thursday, James Cleverly asked for the documents as conservative members of parliament focused on the case. This comes after it was revealed that Ezedi was granted refugee status despite multiple failed attempts and a conviction for sexual assault in 2018, which goes against established guidelines.
The Labour party has sent a letter to the home secretary, expressing the need for “significant inquiries” regarding the decision-making process at the Home Office and the handling of Ezedi’s case.
Sources close to Cleverly state that a review has not yet been initiated, but one may be in the future after he has examined the records.
Unfortunately, Cleverly’s predecessor, Suella Braverman, attempted to put the government under pressure by arguing that the events of the case highlighted the need for Britain to reform its human rights laws and withdraw from the European convention on human rights.
On X, the ex-home secretary claimed that Britain was experiencing a serious “national security emergency.” He also mentioned the case of Ezedi, who was reportedly allowed to stay in the UK after a priest confirmed his conversion to Christianity. The ex-home secretary criticized the prevalence of false claims based on religion in the asylum system and stated that the system is easily manipulated and abused.
According to reports, Ezedi’s application was finally accepted by a tribunal on its third attempt, after initially being denied by caseworkers.
Authorities have been seeking him in relation to an assault involving a harmful chemical that harmed a woman and her two daughters, as well as bystanders who attempted to assist the victims.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, wrote a letter to Cleverly raising concerns about whether the home secretary at the time had considered deporting Mr Ezedi after his conviction in 2018.
In light of claims that he was ultimately given asylum in October 2020, she inquired about the Home Office’s involvement in the appeal hearing and whether they argued against granting asylum due to his past offenses.
Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, has also urged for Cleverly to conduct a thorough examination of the process for granting refugee status to Ezedi.
Jenrick stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today program that it is important to thoroughly examine the specific details before coming to any conclusions. He also expects the home secretary to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and share any significant findings with the public, given the level of public interest.
Amnesty International cautioned against using the attack as an excuse to target asylum seekers or jeopardize the process. The organization expressed sympathy for the victims involved.
Sacha Deshmukh, the chief executive of Amnesty UK, stated that the government must prioritize ensuring fair and efficient decision-making for those seeking asylum in the UK, rather than being sidetracked by those using the Clapham attack for personal gain.
“There will always be a place for reflection on whether our policing, mental health and other services can better safeguard us all, but launching cynical and ill-informed attacks on the asylum system won’t help safeguard anybody.”
According to a statement from Rishi Sunak’s representative, the prime minister believes that allowing foreign criminals to remain in the country poses a threat to the safety of the public.
The speaker mentioned that the government was responsible for implementing “the most robust laws ever passed.” These include the Nationality and Borders Act and Illegal Migration Act.
When questioned about individuals possibly pretending to convert to Christianity in order to take advantage of a loophole, Sunak’s spokesperson stated that caseworkers have been trained to address any problems that may arise.
The individual, aged 35, is believed to have entered the UK from Afghanistan using a lorry in 2016. Their initial request for asylum was denied in the same year. Upon making a second request, it was once again rejected due to their reported conversion to Christianity, which would have endangered them if they were to return to Afghanistan.
In 2020, a tribunal reversed the decision after hearing testimony from a church witness who claimed that Ezedi had converted. By this point, Ezedi had already been found guilty of sexual assault and exposure, given a 45-week suspended prison sentence, and placed on the sex offender registry.
Source: theguardian.com
