It talks like a Control Order and it walks like a Control Order – but it’s actually called an ‘immigration bail order’ – sod all difference I’d say.
Mr W came to see me in his three hours of release from house arrest. During this daily three hours Mr W has to report to the police in the middle hour. He had had to get written permission to come and see me as his MP.
Yes, that’s right – someone living here has to get written permission from the state before they can meet their Member of Parliament. I am ashamed of my country – again.
Mr W has already spent two years in Belmarsh Prison for alleged involvement in the Ricin Plot. (Yes – this is the second constituent wrongly associated with that incident). Unlike the previous constituent who came to me for help who was charged and aquitted – the charges against Mr W were never brought – and the whole thing was dropped after the case against the first five men aquitted them (except one who was charged for something completely different).
So – Mr W spent two years in Belmarsh and has since been under house arrest effectively for over 20 months. I say the same as last time – if this man is to be deported, or charged, or tried – then get on with it. Meanwhile – his conditions are extremely punitive.
And if he is a danger to anyone – then he shouldn’t be allowed out at all.
I simply don’t understand the thinking behind keeping a man in a tiny room – ostensibly with an immigration bail order in case he absconds – but then letting him out for three hours a day.
Yes – he is tagged. Yes – he has to report to the police during that three hours. But he is still being let out for three hours. You can do an awful lot in that time – or before people swing into action in response to information from the tag.
And it seems to me – given the two years in Belmarsh – that this is cruel treatment ongoing. Moreover, he was reduced from 5 to 3 hours because he stole some cat food. There is no justification for shop-lifting, but his meagre funding was cut off and he had no money whatsoever and he has two cats. They probably are the only thing keeping him sane in the very, very restricted conditions he is living under.
Obviously, I don’t know what ‘evidence’ they have or don’t have – that is the shame of these ‘control or immigration’ orders. Neither Mr W, me or anyone has access to any information whatsoever. This is not British justice – this is a disgrace.
I went together with Mark Lancaster (Tory No 2 in International Development and a serving soldier) to the Chinese Embassy to have a meeting with Professor 
Lynne Featherstone 