Overview
- Ministers and No 10 said the cash was a discretionary removal payment after Kebatu threatened to disrupt his flight, describing it as an operational call by officials rather than a ministerial decision.
- Kebatu was re-arrested in London’s Finsbury Park nearly 48 hours after his erroneous release from HMP Chelmsford and was flown to Ethiopia on Tuesday night with five escorts, arriving on Wednesday with no right to return.
- An independent investigation into the mistaken release is under way and a prison officer has been suspended, with prisons instructed to carry out enhanced checks before releasing inmates.
- Downing Street said Kebatu sought the Facilitated Returns Scheme, which can offer up to £1,500, but his application was denied.
- The Metropolitan Police disputed Kebatu’s claim that he tried to hand himself in on Saturday, and the £500 payment drew cross-party condemnation.