Thank you for contacting me about the extradition of foreign nationals convicted of crimes in the UK. I do understand that cases like that of Osime Brown are very emotive for many people.
As I am sure you will appreciate, it would be wrong for me to comment on individual cases, there is a clear process in place, including a right to appeal any decision.
This process is there to ensure fair treatment in every case. To preserve the integrity of our legal system, it is important that anyone in public office does not jeopardise the legal process in any way.
That said, and speaking more generally, it is a principle of our immigration system that any foreign national who comes to this country and abuses our hospitality by breaking the law should be in no doubt of the UK’s determination to deport them.
The UK Borders Act 2007, approved by Parliament, outlines that the Secretary of State must make a deportation order in respect of a foreign criminal sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 12 months or more, unless their case meets one of the exceptions set out in the Act.
I know that these kinds of cases engender the strongest possible feelings; I can assure you that, as a Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, I follow these issues closely.