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Students in Quick 'terror' arrests freed without charge
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor22.04.09
MINISTERS were today facing an embarrassing deportation battle as nine Pakistani students held in the anti-terror raids that followed Bob Quick's photographed files blunder were released without charge.
The students were among 12 men arrested nearly two weeks ago in Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Lancashire. The operation had been brought forward after Mr Quick, Scotland Yard's former anti-terror chief, was photographed with a file showing details of the raid plan. Gordon Brown said at the time that a "very big" terror plot had been thwarted.
Today two of those detained were in custody. Earlier one suspect was released and last night the remaining nine Pakistani students were freed without charge.
All nine, aged between 22 and 38, have been handed to the UK Border Agency for deportation on national security grounds. A lawyer for three of the men, Mohammed Ayub, vowed to fight to allow them to stay in the country. He said: "Our clients have no criminal history, they were here lawfully on student visas and all were pursuing their studies and working part-time." The Home Office insisted the deportation was necessary "to protect public safety".
Reader views (9)
What a great way to attract foreign students (who pay much higher fees than our own): "Come and study in Britain, but please note we may deport you without warning if we feel like it." Bet they won't even get a refund on their fees.
- Roy, England
If this matter centres around a "VERY BIG" terrorist event, I dread to think exactly what a "very big" terrorist event looks like.
Gormless Brown out of his depth, as usual.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
Isn't it about time we had a good clear out of MI5, MI6 and MI7 1/2? They are infested with ex-public schoolboys who wouldn't know a plot if they were buried in it. If they are spending so much time to achieve nothing that can't be right surely. The simplest way to stop islamic terror plots is to get out of Iraq, get out of Afghanistan and stop backing the theft of land in the middle east from its rightful Palestinian owners. When is David Milliband going to produce a point by point rebuttal of what the Iranian president said the other day at that anti-racist forum of the UN? Never. Because he believes every word of it, so what is Milliband playing at? When is israel going to stop getting preferential import duties on produce it grows on stolen land to send to the EU? They aren't members, they pay none of the costs and get all of the benefits. Is it any wonder they steal more land each year? Spare the rod and spoil the child they say. Isn't it time Milliband stopped sparing the rod and stopped islamic terrorists by taking away their reasons? Strong on terrorism, strong on the causes of terrorism, ..... now where have I heard something similar before?
- John, Aberdeen, UK
"A visa is permission to stay here for a specific purpose and if the government feels that now want to withdraw the visa, they do not have to explain their actions and have a court battle about".
It's about fair play and justice - something the British have always prided themselves on and other countries have admired. Is that clear now?
- John, Bangkok, Thailand (ex-UK)
I totally agree about the bogus colleges but it's the system that needs fixing and tightening up. IF these individuals are here legally and IF there is no evidence to charge them, how can we be deporting them?
I can only think that there is a suspicion - which however is not provable. Which is a bit worrying as next time around it could be you, me or the family dog which is under suspicion.
- Chrissy, Halifax UK
It is responsibility of UK government to track down any bogus colleges. Students coming from abroad do not know if the college is bogus and as long as they have been granted visa and legal permission to come and stay in UK they cannot be deported until proven guilty therefore the government has not right whatsoever to deport these students after admitting they are innocent. Government needs to put its act together and take responsibility rather than running away from it.
- Fahim, London
So it was just the usual 'fishing proceedure, which we saw time and time again after an IRA operation ....
MI5 are still the incompetent timewasters they always were and an increase in their numbers has solved nothing ! As for all these police officers involved in
'intelligence activities' .. they should stick to police work. I was proud to be an intelligence officer in one of the security services - now - the term 'intelligence' means nothing !
- Kathy Doyle, London - England
What is this. So they were allowed in to study on student visas and the Government of Great Britian has now revoked their student visas so they have to leave. What grounds does their lawyer have to "fight to allow them to stay in the country". Such a confrontational stance. I am sure whatever subjects they were studying are not unique to GB, they can go and enrol as students in some other country. Why are the Ministers facing an embarrassing deportation battle? They have revoked their visas and they must leave. A visa is permission to stay here for a specific purpose and if the government feels that now want to withdraw the visa, they do not have to explain their actions and have a court battle about. Why are they still here, they should be back in Pakistan by now.
- Patricia, LONDON
Many of these 'students' start to work in the black economy without ever attending any college once they enter the country. So it's a misconception to say they are a source of earning for U.K.It's well known bogus colleges issue student visa charging about £1000 for each visa and these colleges do not have any facilities for any classes- often operating from a small office and no other premises. What these bogus students really do is anybody's guess. Some go on to claim benefits etc.
- K, london
