Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Foreign National Offenders: Deportation

Tuesday 16 December 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Foreign national offenders who commit serious crimes will be removed promptly after sentencing under the Sentencing Bill.
  • The Minister stated that the deportation of foreign nationals is a devolved issue.
  • Carla Lockhart asked for assurance regarding the publication of images of convicted foreign nationals.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Yemm Lab Mansfield
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

The number of foreign national offenders deported has increased under the Labour Government, leading to questions about prompt deportation after sentencing.

Question

I wonder what reassurance the Secretary of State could give my constituents that foreign national offenders who commit serious crimes will be removed promptly after sentencing, rather than allowing their appeal process to drag on. Does he agree that a deport first, appeal later approach would be most appropriate?

Answer from David Lammy (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)

My hon. Friend is right. That is what we are doing in the Sentencing Bill, which is going through Parliament, which will enable us to remove foreign nationals earlier—a key component of the Bill. We are absolutely clear: if someone comes to our country and commits a crime, they no longer have any right to be here.

Answered
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Q2 Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann
Migrants & Borders Policing & Resources Northern Ireland
Context

A recent case in Northern Ireland involves a foreign national migrant convicted of sexually assaulting a minor, raising concerns about the publication of the criminal's image and prompt deportation.

Question

Last week in Northern Ireland, a 26-year-old Palestinian migrant was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. The police refused to publish an image of this man, meaning that people do not know who he is or if he is showing concerning behaviour. Can the Minister assure us that whether in GB or in Northern Ireland, any migrant found guilty of sexual offences will not only have their picture published, but be deported?

Answer from David Lammy (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice)

We are deporting foreign nationals, as I have explained. This is a devolved issue, and it would be wrong for me to comment on individual cases. If she writes to us about it, she will get a ministerial response.

Not addressed: The publication of images and the process for publishing them was not addressed.

How: This Is A Devolved Issue, Wrong For Me To Comment On Individual Cases

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