Convicted people smuggler Twana Jamal reportedly living in UK, Tories call for deportation

On Thursday, it was reported that Twana Jamal, a convicted people smuggler, is living in Leicestershire after changing his name. Jamal, who received a five-year jail sentence in 2019 in France, is known as the 'godfather' of the Calais migrant camps, where he allegedly earned up to £100,000 a week smuggling people across the Channel. The UK government is investigating this situation following public concern.

Government Response to Smuggling Allegations

Downing Street expressed that it shares the public's shock regarding Jamal's presence in the UK and is working to establish the facts surrounding his asylum claim. A spokesperson stated, "We will not tolerate abuse of our immigration system, and that is why we are deporting people with no right to be here at the highest rate in nearly a decade."

Calls for Action from Conservative Officials

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp highlighted the issue during a BBC Radio 4 interview, saying, "This shines a light on a system that is not working. People are entering our country illegally in large numbers, and we really don’t know how many of them are." He emphasized that Jamal should be arrested for illegal working and suggested that his asylum claims should be rendered null and void.

Concerns Over Immigration Enforcement

The Home Office has been in contact with the BBC regarding the evidence necessary to take action against Jamal. In a statement, the Home Office asserted, "All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity for the purpose of immigration, security, and criminality checks." However, immigration officers have reported increased difficulty in verifying criminal records from certain countries since the UK left the EU.

As the investigation continues, the issue reflects broader concerns about the effectiveness of the UK's immigration system, particularly in the context of recent cases involving foreign criminals.