Due Process

One of the fundamental British values is, of course, that prison sentences should always be longer; and the Secretary of State for Wog Control has zealously enforced that value in the case of a Nigerian asylum seeker with schizophrenia. Originally jailed last October and scheduled for release eight months ago, the man withdrew his claim for asylum shortly before he was due to get out, so the Home Secretary kept him in jail pending deportation. Lawyers then told the Home Secratary that he hadn't understood what he was signing, so his claim for asylum was reinstated and the Home Secretary kept him in jail pending deportation. Three months ago a tribunal granted him immigration bail, but since no suitable accommodation was available the Home Secretary has kept him in jail for vagrancy. Since there seems every chance that continued detention will worsen his mental health, it is to be hoped that the culprit will eventually take the hint and not force the Ministry for Wog Control to undermine the dignity of the State still further by pressing the Palestine Action charge of unspecifiable terroristic hanky-panky.