The UK government is facing intense criticism after it emerged that Hadush Kebatu, a convicted migrant sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison, received £500 to leave the country before being deported to Ethiopia.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the payment on Wednesday, expressing shared public outrage over Kebatu’s release and stating that she had “pulled every lever” to ensure his removal from the UK. However, the revelation that the offender received a cash payment has sparked widespread condemnation.
Downing Street explained that the £500 payment was an “operational decision” intended to avoid a more costly and complex deportation process. Officials said Kebatu had allegedly threatened to disrupt his deportation flight, and detaining him further or arranging another flight could have cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.
Kebatu, who had been staying at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, entered the UK illegally by small boat on June 29. He later sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman, prompting protests outside the hotel accommodating asylum seekers. After serving part of a one-year prison sentence, he was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention centre.
The error sparked a two-day manhunt, ending with his re-arrest in London on Sunday. He was forcibly deported to Ethiopia on Tuesday night, escorted by five security personnel.
Officials clarified that Kebatu had applied for a voluntary resettlement scheme, which can offer up to £1,500 to migrants who agree to return home, but his application was rejected. Following his threats to disrupt the flight, officials decided to offer a smaller payment to ensure his immediate departure.
The decision has been heavily criticized by opposition figures. A spokesperson for Kemi Badenoch described it as an “absolute disgrace,” accusing the government of “messing up the immigration system.”
Border Security Minister Alex Norris told Good Morning Britain that such payments are occasionally made to “save taxpayer money,” though he could not confirm whether Kebatu personally received the money.
Home Secretary Mahmood called the incident “a blunder that should never have happened,” thanked police for quickly re-arresting Kebatu, and confirmed his deportation. She added: “Our streets are safer because this vile child sex offender has been removed. If you come to this country and commit crimes, we will remove you.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy described the case as “unacceptable” and attributed it to human error, announcing an independent inquiry to determine what went wrong.
The case has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, amid criticism over record numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel and recent high-profile crimes involving asylum seekers.
On the same day as Kebatu’s deportation, the government announced a new fast-track deportation agreement with Vietnam to accelerate the removal of illegal migrants. Starmer said the deal “sends a clear message: if you come to the UK illegally, you will be swiftly returned.”
Parliament has also raised concerns over plans to house nearly 900 asylum seekers in two former army barracks—Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Army Camp in England—as part of efforts to phase out hotel accommodations.
A recent parliamentary report criticized successive governments for “squandering billions” on a flawed asylum housing system, while critics warn that using former military sites risks repeating past failures that led to legal action from asylum seekers.
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