Dangerous deportation techniques still in use, MPs say

Jimmy Mubenga's family have endured an awful time since his death while facing deportation back to Angola in October 2010.

He was allegedly restrained by three G4S security guards during an attempt to deport him from Heathrow Airport, with witnesses claiming Mubenga complained of breathing difficulties before collapsing.

Three guards were arrested on suspicion of murder and police investigation is still on-going. Mubenga’s death prompted an inquiry by the Home Affairs Select Committee into the treatment of people being deported.

Their findings suggests that potentially lethal restraint techniques may still be being used to carry out deportations despite the UK Border Agency and the private contractors it uses suggesting otherwise.

The inquiry also found evidence of a racist culture among private security escort staff and a "cosy relationship" between UKBA and private contractors.

While not commenting specifically about Jimmy's case, which is still being investigated by the authorities, committee chairman Keith Vaz MP said there serious questions remained over the use of contractors in removals and deportation since Reliance took over from G4S following the death of Mubenga.

The Committee inquiry said,

We are not persuaded that head-down restraint positions are never used, even though they are not authorised.

They called for the Home Office to issue urgent guidance to all staff involved in enforced removals "about the danger of seated restraint techniques in which the subject is bent forwards".

Both the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and contractors, including private security firm G4S, denied that any techniques to hold the neck or keep the head down were used.

But a report to the UKBA by Baroness O'Loan on Outsourcing Abuse "describes several incidents in which detainees claim to have been restrained with their heads held down".

Vaz said,

People who are not entitled to remain in the country must be removed and there may be occasions when it is necessary to use physical force, but this must always be done only when absolutely necessary, and with proper respect for the dignity of the detainee.

He also added that the UKBA should not shirk responsibility just because it subcontracts to private firms to carry out deportations and removals.

Vaz said,

The agency must introduce much tougher management processes to ensure that contractors are delivering the service that the public expect, and that senior management challenge unacceptable behaviour.

A UKBA spokesman said,

All escorts on flights are trained to use restraint techniques approved by the Prison Service. We have no evidence contractors use head-down restraints and would take strong action against them if their conduct does not meet our standards.

He added,

We are currently working closely with Noms (National Offender Management Service) to develop specific techniques appropriate to confined spaces.

Deborah Coles of Inquest, which represents the families of those that die in state custody, welcomed the inquiry's recognition that restraint during enforced removals was dangerous, unauthorised and potentially lethal.