This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7152537.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Boy's deportation 'disgraceful' | Boy's deportation 'disgraceful' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
A High Court judge has ordered the home secretary to bring back an Iraqi boy seized at his London home in a pre-dawn raid and deported. | A High Court judge has ordered the home secretary to bring back an Iraqi boy seized at his London home in a pre-dawn raid and deported. |
The 15-year-old asylum seeker was sent to Austria after immigration officials visited his foster carer's home last month in Richmond, south-west London. | |
The judge condemned as "arguably disgraceful" the way officials failed to give warning of the boy's removal. | The judge condemned as "arguably disgraceful" the way officials failed to give warning of the boy's removal. |
But officials said they feared Richmond social services would tip the boy off. | But officials said they feared Richmond social services would tip the boy off. |
'On the streets' | 'On the streets' |
Mr Justice Collins said: "That is a disgraceful approach. I find no possible justification for that." | Mr Justice Collins said: "That is a disgraceful approach. I find no possible justification for that." |
He added: "To bundle someone out - a vulnerable minor - by going round without any warning at four o'clock in the morning is, I think, arguably disgraceful." | He added: "To bundle someone out - a vulnerable minor - by going round without any warning at four o'clock in the morning is, I think, arguably disgraceful." |
Lawyers for the boy, known as J for legal reasons, say he was held at a police station for a night on his return to Austria but was then "on the streets" for three days. | Lawyers for the boy, known as J for legal reasons, say he was held at a police station for a night on his return to Austria but was then "on the streets" for three days. |
He was then taken in by a charity and has since remained in hostel accommodation suitable for adults. | He was then taken in by a charity and has since remained in hostel accommodation suitable for adults. |
Home Office immigration officials went to his carer's home in May, but J was not there which led them to treat him as an absconder. | Home Office immigration officials went to his carer's home in May, but J was not there which led them to treat him as an absconder. |
'Humanitarian reasons' | 'Humanitarian reasons' |
Representing the home secretary, Rory Dunlop said: "There was a reasonable suspicion that social services would let slip that information to the claimant as that was why he was not (at his carer's home) on the previous occasion." | Representing the home secretary, Rory Dunlop said: "There was a reasonable suspicion that social services would let slip that information to the claimant as that was why he was not (at his carer's home) on the previous occasion." |
But Mr Justice Collins said J's whereabouts were known by social services at "all material times." | But Mr Justice Collins said J's whereabouts were known by social services at "all material times." |
The teenager arrived in the UK unaccompanied in December 2006 after first being smuggled into Austria. | The teenager arrived in the UK unaccompanied in December 2006 after first being smuggled into Austria. |
Austrian authorities accepted they were legally responsible for determining his case, but asked the home secretary to take J back in view of his rights to have his private and family life respected under the European Convention on Human Rights. | Austrian authorities accepted they were legally responsible for determining his case, but asked the home secretary to take J back in view of his rights to have his private and family life respected under the European Convention on Human Rights. |
The home secretary declined the request. | The home secretary declined the request. |
The judge said he hoped the boy would be back with his foster carer by Christmas. | The judge said he hoped the boy would be back with his foster carer by Christmas. |
Previous version
1
Next version