UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Tory MP Neil Hudson says Prime Minister Keir Starmer should take responsibility after a migrant sex offender was mistakenly freed in London.
As reported by The Telegraph, Epping MP said Sir Keir Starmer faces calls for accountability over the mistaken release of a migrant convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Neil Hudson told reporters that ultimate responsibility lies with the Prime Minister, saying the “buck stops” with him as the manhunt continues.
Protests were held in Epping over the summer after the jailing of Hadush Kebatu, who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl while staying at the Bell Hotel.
The migrant, Kebatu, who arrived in the UK by small boat, was accidentally freed from HMP Chelmsford due to a human error that classified him as a prisoner on licence instead of a foreign offender awaiting deportation.
What did Neil Hudson say about who is responsible for the prison blunder?
Neil Hudson said that the “buck stops at the top” and senior ministers should be held accountable.
He stated,
“This is deeply upsetting; the whole situation is a catastrophic mistake. My community in Epping and Epping Forest wider are deeply distressed by this and very angry about this. My thoughts are with the victims of the sexual assaults and we must remember one of whom is a 14-year-old girl, so we are thinking about them and their families.”
Mr Hudson said,
“This really should not have happened; that’s what my constituents are telling me. This sounds like an operational error, but the buck has to stop somewhere and it has to stop at the top, the Justice Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister.”
He stated,
“They have said that they are livid and appalled, well quite right they should be livid and appalled but that’s not good enough. The Labour Government needs to get a grip of this issue, they need to apprehend this man, they’ve got to sort this issue out and that’s what my constituents who are deeply upset and distressed are telling me.”
Mr Hudson continued,
“We saw another flash protest last night. This issue hasn’t gone away for our community in Epping. We’ve had twice weekly protests for weeks and weeks.”
What did David Lammy say about the escaped migrant in London?
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, reportedly “furious” about the incident.
He said,
“I am appalled at the release in error at HMP Chelmsford. We are urgently working with the police to track him down, and I’ve ordered an immediate investigation. Kebatu must be deported for his crimes, not left on our streets.”
Mr Lammy added,
“He should be deported back to Ethiopia after the sexual assaults that he’s committed. We know that he boarded a train and is at large in London.”
What did Sir Keir Starmer say about the mistaken release at HMP Chelmsford?
Sir Keir Starmer said,
“The mistaken release at HMP Chelmsford is totally unacceptable. I am appalled that it has happened and it’s being investigated.”
He added,
“The police are working urgently to track him down, and my Government is supporting them. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes.”
How was Kebatu sentenced and what steps are ministers taking?
Kebatu, jailed for 12 months for sexually assaulting a girl and another woman, was promised deportation “as soon as possible” by government ministers.
His arrest prompted protests and counter-demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he had been living as an asylum seeker. In court, the victim said she now feels “vulnerable and exposed.”
During last month’s sentencing, the judge told Kebatu his behaviour
“really highlights the poor regard you must have for women.”
According to the trial, he is a 38-year-old migrant who arrived in Britain days before the July incidents and allegedly sexually assaulted two teenage girls, including attempted kisses and inappropriate touching.
He was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman, attempting to kiss her, placing his hand on her leg, and telling her she was “pretty.”
Following a three-day trial, the migrant was convicted of five offences at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates’ courts.
At his sentencing, the court was told he had expressed a “firm wish” to be deported, and the Home Office had arranged for him to be taken to an immigration removal centre.
What did John Podmore and Marie Goldman say about the prison release fiasco?
John Podmore, former governor of Brixton, Belmarsh, and Swaleside Prisons, said, “The prison system is broken.”
He added,
“I do hope that some official lower down in the system is not thrown under a bus. This is about a wider systemic problem in leadership and management. It goes to the top of the prison and probation service.”
Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford, urged for a public inquiry.
She added,
“We need to get to grips with what happened and why it happened.”
What did the Prison Service and Essex Police say about the HMP Chelmsford release error?
A Prison Service spokesperson stated,
“We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford.”
They added,
“Public protection is our top priority, and we have launched an investigation into this incident.”
A spokesperson for Essex Police said the force was informed by the prison service of “an error” shortly before 1 pm on Friday.
They stated,
“We understand the concern the public would have regarding this situation and can assure you we have officers working to urgently locate and detain him.”
The Essex Police said,
“Officers from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are working together in this fast-moving and complex investigation.”
They added,
“Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage, and this work continues today. Our inquiries show that he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus.”
How many illegal migrants are in the UK?
In the year ending June 2025, the UK saw 49,000 irregular arrivals, up 27% from the previous year, with 88% (43,000) crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Afghans accounted for 15% of small boat arrivals, and 94% of those arriving by small boat since 2018 have claimed asylum. Only around 5,000 (3% of arrivals since 2018) have been returned, mostly to Albania.