HC Deb 29 April 1998 vol 311 cc135-6W
Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures were followed to establish the availability of appropriate treatment in Nigeria for people with mental illness prior to a decision being made on Emmanuel Ekpo's immigration case; and what assessment he made of the treatment available for people with mental illness in Nigeria. [39364]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

It is normal practice, when the Immigration Service receives representations on medical grounds against the removal of a person who is here unlawfully, for inquiries to be made about the availability of suitable treatment in the destination country. These inquiries are normally made through the British diplomatic post there. These were the procedures followed in Mr. Ekpo's case.

It was established that the medication Mr. Ekpo has been taking is readily available in Nigeria. Psychiatric treatment is also available, albeit less widely than in the United Kingdom and at a cost.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conduct of prison officers and Group 4 officers who removed Emmanuel Ekpo from HMP Rochester's hospital on 31 March, indicating for what reasons(a) he was not given a health check prior to removal from the hospital, (b) he was not allowed to use the telephone to ring his solicitor, Member of Parliament or family members, (c) the usual exit was not used to remove Mr. Ekpo and (d) he was not allowed to collect his personal belongings prior to removal. [39366]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Mr. Ekpo was located in the Health Care Centre at Rochester prior to removal and was seen daily by a medical officer. He was under constant observation by staff and a full running medical observation was recorded on him. Mr. Ekpo had access to a telephone throughout the morning period and immediately after the lunch time meal. He was refused a request to use the telephone at the time of departure of the escort as it would have delayed his removal. It was decided to remove him direct from the Health Care Centre and not from Reception to reduce the opportunity for Mr. Ekpo to attempt to harm himself. His personal belongings were placed into sealed bags and handed to the escorting staff, according to standard procedure.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conduct of Group 4 officers on the arrival of Emmanuel Ekpo at their headquarters in Harmondsworth, with particular reference to toilet facilities not being available to him. [39365]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Mr. Ekpo resisted removal from Her Majesty's Prison Rochester and twice attempted self harm en route to Harmondsworth. On arrival at Harmondsworth, a decision was made to keep him in the cellular van with three members of staff in attendance at all times, while arrangements were made to find suitable accommodation for him. This decision was made both in the light of his disruptive behaviour at a time when visitors were visiting the centre, and also in his own interests as it was considered that the opportunity for further self-harm was minimised while he remained in the van. Group 4 informed the Immigration Service that at no stage while in the van did Mr. Ekpo request toilet facilities. If staff had been made aware of such a request all possible steps would have been taken to arrange this. Mr. Ekpo was escorted to a Harmondsworth building and was examined by a doctor who declared him fit to be detained. Mr. Ekpo was offered, but declined to accept, both food and medication. He was finally detained at Northside Police Station, Heathrow Airport.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who authorised the removal of Emmanuel Ekpo from HMP Rochester's hospital on 31 March and his planned deportation the next day. [39367]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

In accordance with authority received from the Deportation Section of the Home Office, removal directions were set by the Immigration Service at Becket House for Mr. Ekpo to be removed from the United Kingdom at 11.35 am on 1 April from Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport. Arrangements were made for Mr. Ekpo to be accompanied by escorts from a security company. This information was then passed to the Harmondsworth Detention Management Unit, which made arrangements for Mr. Ekpo to be transferred out of Rochester on 31 March 1998 and for him to be accommodated overnight in a police station near to Heathrow Airport, pending his deportation on the morning of 1 April.