A young asylum seeker expressed his gratitude to Keir Starmer for enabling him to remain in the UK. Khadar Mohamed, aged 24, who previously resided at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, has been granted permission to stay in the country on human rights grounds. He voiced his appreciation to the Labour government and stated his intention to settle in Bradford, West Yorkshire, where he aims to work and contribute to society.
Following recent protests outside the Bell Hotel fueled by migration concerns, Khadar highlighted that many asylum seekers, including himself, aspire to work and integrate into society. He emphasized the importance of understanding that asylum seekers are not malevolent individuals and that societal acceptance is growing.
In a separate development, the UK initiated the “one in, one out” scheme with France to tackle small boat crossings. The first migrant, an Indian national, who arrived in the UK by boat last month, was repatriated by plane. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised this action as a significant initial step, with additional deportations planned.
Conversely, an Eritrean man contested his deportation to France, asserting that he was not given a fair opportunity to present evidence supporting his claim of being a trafficking victim. The Home Office opposed his bid to halt the removal, arguing that there were no substantial grounds for reconsideration.
Furthermore, Epping District Council announced its intention to escalate efforts to close down the Bell Hotel following legal challenges. The Council plans to pursue the case in the Supreme Court after a temporary injunction, mandating the evacuation of 138 asylum seekers by a specified date, was overturned by the Court of Appeal.