UK Deportation Flight Cancelled After Detainee Swallows Vape Battery
A private deportation flight arranged by the UK Home Office was abruptly cancelled on Thursday morning following a serious incident involving an Egyptian detainee who swallowed a lithium vape battery. The man, a foreign national offender with a history of disruptive behaviour during removal attempts, was scheduled to be deported from the UK via Albania to Egypt but was taken to hospital for emergency treatment instead.
Investigation Launched into Segregated Detention Incident
Officials are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the event, which occurred while the man was held in segregated detention for several days prior to the planned flight. During this time, he was given a vape and subsequently ingested the battery, necessitating medical intervention. After successful treatment, he was returned to detention, but the deportation flight had to be called off.
A spokesperson for Mitie, the Home Office contractor responsible for managing overseas deportations, stated: "This incident is currently being investigated. At this point, there is no evidence to suggest any wrongdoing or breach of procedure by our colleagues. Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of those in our care."
Costly and Rare Private Flight Operations
The Home Office frequently charters private planes for deportation purposes, with regular flights to destinations like Albania, Nigeria, and Ghana. In this case, a private plane was booked for a routine deportation to Albania, with an additional leg to Egypt added specifically for this individual, who would have travelled alone from Albania to Egypt accompanied by guards and flight crew. The cost of such cancelled flights can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, though the exact financial impact remains unknown.
Private flights for single individuals are extremely rare and typically reserved for disruptive cases where the Home Office is particularly determined to remove someone from the UK. This incident highlights the complexities and risks involved in such operations.
Previous Issues and Ongoing Scrutiny
Mitie has faced previous challenges, including an incident where a detainee escaped onto the runway at Heathrow and another involving senior staff at the Manston detention centre who were investigated and dismissed. The company currently holds multiple government contracts, including for managing Manston, overseas deportations, and other immigration and justice services.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasised: "Disruptive behaviour will not succeed, and we will be continuing with deportation action as soon as it is possible to do so." Home Office sources confirmed they are supporting Mitie's investigation into the battery-swallowing incident.
