Select Committee on Home Affairs Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence


APPENDIX 43

Supplementary memorandum submitted by Wackenhut UK Ltd

  On Tuesday 28 January, during the giving of evidence to yourself and your Committee, we undertook to let you have details of a removal, which involved a person who had been here for eight years and had been given two days to "sort out his affairs".

  We are pleased to attach a copy of our officer's report, which is self-explanatory.

DIFFICULT BOARDING DUE TO SUSPECTED EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES

  On Sunday 26 January 2003, whilst boarding flight to Algiers, detainee became obstructive due to problems that he could not sort out before he left the country.

    1.  He stated that he had been in this country for over eight years.

    2.  He claimed that he had property in this country with an outstanding mortgage.

    3.  He claimed to have existing bank accounts, with funds in them still running in this country.

    4.  What he was extremely annoyed about was the fact that he has been paying taxes within this country for numerous years and could not understand the decision.

    5.  His main complaint was the fact that he had only been given two days to sort out his entire life, which with the points listed above he found impossible.

  After speaking to the dealing port, we, Wackenhut, were instructed that these grievances were in no way to affect his boarding, or any decision that had been made.

  The boarding itself came close to failure as the passenger stopped at the plane door. However, helpful airline staff spoke to him in his own language and explained that if he did not board the flight now, it would mean that on flight escorts would be employed to travel with him and hand over to the authorities on the outer side. With reluctance he boarded the flight, we remained at the aircraft until pushback as a precaution.

January 2003


 
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