Just days after PCC Rupert Matthews wrote to the Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood MP, advocating the automatic deportation of all foreign criminals, the Minister took to social media in support of this view.
Her post on X (formerly known as Twitter) was categoric: “I am clear: foreign criminals must be deported, never to return”. She added: “When foreign nationals commit a serious crime, the appropriate punishment is clear to me: they must be sent packing.
“By failing to live up to their responsibilities they must lose their right to call our country their home.
“They must be deported, never to return.”
In a letter sent on 31 July 2025 Rupert Matthews had suggested that ‘we automatically deport all foreign nationals convicted of a crime that carries a possible prison sentence.’
He went on to explain his reasoning: “That would free up considerable prison space and relieve pressure on the public purse, given there are over 10,000 foreign national offenders in prison, which accounts for nearly 12% of the prison population.”
He asked if she could: “confirm the Government support the expeditious returning of Foreign National Prisoners to their country of origin at the start of their prison sentence, and in what timeframe will they be returned?”
In a letter filled with suggestions to address prison overcrowding, probation, national Crown Court backlog and victim attrition Mr Matthews also asks for assurances on appropriate funding to address the acknowledged problems and the timeframes for implementation of the Levesen report recommendations.
Rupert Matthews said: “I’m pleased to read that Ms Mahmood agrees with my views. I shall now be pushing further to encourage her to expedite any necessary legislation and implementation. Like most people, I want to see some real change, some real action, not just words. I also want to see all foreign criminals deported, not just ‘serious’ foreign criminals!
“The Criminal Justice System is clearly overwhelmed by the scale of the work at the moment and we, the law abiding, tax paying public, want to see criminals arrested, charged and punished suitably for their misdeeds.
“We must, absolutely must, secure a better support system for victims of crime, who are all to often becoming a victim of the criminal justice system itself.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Unfortunately for our victims, this is the current challenge. The Government’s decision to cut our victim’s core grant has meant that we have had to make cuts to our commissioned services for victims. I would recommend that extra funding is found specifically to provide extra support for victims stuck in the national Crown Court backlog.”
Mr Matthews said he would welcome any opportunity to meet with the Minister or her team team, online or offline, to discuss ideas and proposals both nationally and on behalf of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland force area.
Ends
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Posted on Tuesday 12th August 2025