Euro-MP lambasts treatment of Chilean Scot

3.48.58pm GMT Thu 28th Sep 2006

London's Liberal Democrat MEP and European Justice spokesperson Baroness Sarah Ludford has strongly welcomed the end of scandalously abusive attempts to deport long-term British resident Ernesto Leal to Chile, after the Home Office decided not to appeal against the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal quashing of a deportation order.

Sarah Ludford said:

"Ernesto has already paid the price to society for his offence. There is no evidence to suggest he has a propensity to re-offend, as was clearly recognised by the tribunal. Not before time, the Home Office has come to its senses."

"But the way Ernesto, his family and friends have been treated is despicable. Their lives were thrown into utter turmoil because of the Home Secretary's political headline-grabbing and wanting to seem tough."

"In fact they were made scapegoats for the utter incompetence of successive Home Secretaries. It is no coincidence that the decision to issue a deportation notice against Ernesto was taken at the height of public and political outcry over the failures of the Home Office."

"This is where the rhetoric about being 'tough' on law and order leads- conduct resonant of a police state. The British sense of justice and fair play was woefully betrayed by this Labour government, but honour saved by the court."

Note:

Ernesto Leal came to the UK as a child and was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in1997. He has no friends or family in Chile and barely speaks Spanish. He was involved in a pub brawl two years ago for which he served an 18 month sentence. He had never been in trouble prior to this incident, and has not been in trouble since.

However, on 1st May, thirty immigration and police officers broke into Ernesto's home without warning and lay in wait for his return. They ransacked his flat, then took him away without giving his wife any indication as to where he was being taken. He was arrested and imprisoned as part of the Home Office's round up of 'foreign' criminals - a week prior to local elections.

For further information see http://www.friendsofernesto.org.uk/