Judge criticises Home Office amid immigration crisis

Suella Braverman KC is under fire as failure to deport Jamaican sex and drugs offender may lead to compensation payout
Suella Braverman KC, the home secretary, at Downing Street on Tuesday
Suella Braverman KC, the home secretary, at Downing Street on Tuesday
ALAMY

A judge’s criticism of the Home Office’s handling of a Jamaican sex and drugs offender who asked to be deported to the Caribbean suggests that the asylum and immigration crisis is partly of Whitehall’s own making.

The case is likely to result in a compensation award of tens of thousands of pounds. The man, who can only be referred to as JXL, was placed in immigration detention on May 31, 2019, after serving a four-year prison sentence for sexual assault.

He later gave up on his asylum claim and agreed to be flown to Jamaica, signing a voluntary return order. The Home Office repeatedly failed to book his flight and he is still in the UK.

Last month the Upper Tribunal judge in the case