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Convicted people smuggler reportedly living in UK should be deported, Tories say

2 articles
2 sources
0% diversity
Updated 2.7.2026
Key Topics & People
Twana Jamal *Leicestershire People Smuggling Chris Philp BBC

Coverage Framing

1
1
Political Strategy(1)
National Security(1)
Avg Factuality:70%
Avg Sensationalism:Moderate

Story Timeline

Jul 2 Evening

1 articles|1 sources
people smugglerdeportationforeign criminalsillegal workingcalais migrant camps
Political Strategy(1)
The Guardian - World News5d ago

Convicted people smuggler reportedly living in UK should be deported, Tories say

Conservatives are calling for the arrest and deportation of a convicted people smuggler reportedly living in Leicestershire, UK. The man, once known as "the godfather" of the Calais migrant camps, allegedly changed his name and is working illegally while seeking asylum. He was sentenced to five years in France in 2019 for earning significant sums by transporting people across the Channel. This case, alongside another involving a grooming gang leader who cannot be deported due to a legal loophole, has prompted Conservative criticism of the UK's immigration system. The Home Office stated they are seeking evidence from the BBC to take action and that mandatory security checks are conducted on all asylum claimants.

Mixed toneMixed4 sources
Negative

Key Claims

quote

A convicted people smuggler reportedly living in Britain should be arrested and deported.

— Conservatives

factual

A legal loophole prevented the deportation of the Rochdale grooming gang leader after his prison release.

— Article

factual

The man received a five-year jail sentence in France in 2019 for earning up to £100,000 a week smuggling people.

— French prosecutors

factual

The man, identified as Twana Jamal, was tracked down to Leicestershire, working illegally and claiming asylum.

— BBC

quote

The Home Office claims the BBC failed to provide evidence for its report despite requests.

— Home Office spokesperson

Jul 2 Morning

1 articles|1 sources
people smugglingasylum seekerborder controlsillegal immigrationcriminal records
National Security(1)
BBC News - World6d ago

People smuggler convicted in France now seeking asylum in UK, BBC discovers

A BBC investigation has revealed that Twana Jamal, a convicted people smuggler once dubbed "the godfather" of French migrant camps, is living in Leicestershire, UK. Jamal was sentenced to five years in prison in France in 2016 for his role in smuggling illegal immigrants across the Channel, earning significant sums weekly. He is reportedly working illegally in the UK, using a false name, and has applied for asylum, though he is awaiting a decision. His presence raises concerns about the effectiveness of UK border controls in identifying asylum seekers with serious overseas criminal records, especially since the UK's departure from the EU. Law enforcement officials suggest that criminal records from some European countries are now harder to access.

Mixed toneFactual4 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

Twana Jamal was sentenced to five years in prison in France in 2016 for people smuggling.

— French authorities

factual

A convicted people smuggler, Twana Jamal, is living in the UK and believed to be seeking asylum.

— BBC investigation

statistic

Jamal allegedly earned up to £100,000 a week for moving illegal immigrants across the Channel.

— French prosecutors

factual

The UK's border controls may be ineffective in checking asylum seekers with serious overseas criminal records.

factual

15 other convicted people smugglers are reportedly living in the UK under false names.

— Law enforcement officials in mainland Europe