A convicted sex offender who illegally entered the UK via the Channel was paid £500 by officials to leave the country after being mistakenly released from prison. The controversial decision has provoked a wave of public and political fury.
Hadush Kebatu, who had assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman while housed in asylum accommodation, was deported to Ethiopia this week under armed escort.
But the revelation that he was handed cash after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight has deepened the scandal.
Deported Migrant Sex Offender Paid £500
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood admitted the public was “rightly angry” over Kebatu’s wrongful release and said she had “pulled every lever” to ensure his removal.
“Last week’s blunder should never have happened, and I share the public’s anger that it did. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported. Our streets are safer because of it,” said Mahmood.
Despite being rejected for a resettlement grant, part of a scheme that can offer up to £1,500 to departing migrants, Kebatu still received a £500 payout.
According to officials, this was to prevent him from disrupting the flight, which would have led to a costlier and delayed deportation process.
The UK government paid a migrant sex offender £500 to leave the country after a prison release error, sparking widespread political and public backlash.
Downing Street confirmed it was an “operational decision” made to avoid further disruption, including a potential re-arrest, detention costs, and a legal battle.
Attempted Deportation Disruption
Kebatu was flown out of the UK with five security escorts after he threatened to derail the flight. Reports suggest he tried to leave the plane before departure.
The incident comes in the wake of a broader revelation that £53 million has been paid to migrants over the last four years under various voluntary and assisted return schemes. These include free flights and financial incentives of up to £3,000 for those willing to return to their countries of origin.
Police Deny Kebatu’s Claim of Self-Surrender
Speaking to Sky News from Addis Ababa, Kebatu claimed he attempted to turn himself in the morning after his release: “I will give you my hand. Please help me, where is the police station? Take me, I am wanted.”
However, the Metropolitan Police refuted these claims, stating his actions resembled evasion, not cooperation.
“His actions on the morning of his re-arrest were more like those of someone trying to avoid officers, not trying to hand himself in,” a police spokesperson said.
Political Fallout Intensifies
Conservative critics have slammed the government’s decision as an “absolute disgrace”. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy described the incident as “unacceptable” and blamed it on “human error”.
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch’s camp reignited calls to exit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), stating: “We need to leave the ECHR and deport all foreign criminals as soon as possible.”
Border Security Minister Alex Norris, when pressed on whether Kebatu received money, admitted on Good Morning Britain that he wasn’t certain but acknowledged such payments are “sometimes” made to save taxpayer money.
Prison Release Protocols Under Review
Following the error at HMP Chelmsford where Kebatu was freed on Friday instead of being transferred to immigration detention, an independent inquiry has been launched.
Enhanced checks are also being introduced at prisons nationwide to prevent similar failures. The mistake sparked a two-day nationwide manhunt before Kebatu was recaptured in London on Sunday.
Kebatu’s Offences and Arrival in the UK
Kebatu, who arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel in a small boat on 29 June, was staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, one of several sites used to house asylum seekers. There, he committed sexual assaults on a teenage girl and a woman, fuelling already growing unrest around migrant housing in hotels.
Public protests erupted outside the Bell Hotel in response, with locals demanding tighter control over who is placed in their communities.
Government Under Pressure as Channel Crossings Surge
The case adds to mounting pressure on the government to address the surge in small boat crossings and the subsequent strain on the immigration system.
Public discontent is growing, particularly around the use of taxpayer-funded hotels to accommodate asylum seekers with unclear backgrounds.
So far this year, the number of Channel crossings has hit a record high, intensifying criticism from both the opposition and the public.
A convicted sex offender was not only mistakenly released but was also paid to leave the country. The government insists it was the most practical solution. But for many, it’s yet another failure in an immigration system that appears increasingly chaotic.
