A Member of Parliament for Leicestershire has expressed profound concern over reports that a convicted people smuggler, previously imprisoned in France, is currently residing in his constituency. Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire, stated that it is "utterly unacceptable" for the individual, identified as Twana Jamal, to be living in Blaby and allegedly working unlawfully while pursuing an asylum claim.
A BBC investigation reportedly located Mr Jamal in Blaby, identifying two mini-marts linked to him. One of these establishments is situated adjacent to Mr Costa's constituency office. The MP confirmed he has contacted Leicestershire Police regarding the findings and intends to escalate the matter directly with the Home Office, demanding clarity on how a convicted trafficker could reportedly claim asylum in the UK.
Mr Jamal was handed a five-year custodial sentence in France in 2016, where authorities described him as one of the most successful people smugglers ever apprehended. Prosecutors at the time claimed the Iraqi Kurd, then 36, was earning significant sums, potentially up to £100,000 per week, from facilitating illegal crossings of the Channel. When confronted by the BBC, Mr Jamal denied any involvement in people smuggling, claimed he had not been jailed in France, and stated he had been in the UK since 2009. However, he did not dispute a photograph of himself in a French courtroom from 2016.
Mr Costa has urged residents of Blaby to avoid the businesses associated with Mr Jamal. He criticised the situation, stating, "He is a convicted human trafficker and the fact that he's come to our home, to Blaby, in our local community, and is exploiting the system by working apparently illegally because he doesn't have any settled status here, is utterly unacceptable." He added that the establishment of a business next to an MP's office "speaks volumes about the character of this individual."
In response to the BBC's report, a Home Office spokesperson affirmed that "all asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks." Meanwhile, local Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Hartshorn of Blaby District Council indicated a significant number of residents have contacted him with concerns following the investigation, expressing widespread disappointment that such an individual could reportedly live and work within the country. Rupert Matthews, the Reform UK Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland, has called for calm, assuring the public that safety remains a priority and that appropriate action will be taken if a crime has been committed.
Leicestershire Police confirmed they are aware of the BBC report concerning the individual.