Outrage after drug dealer avoids deportation by using UK human rights laws

A drug dealer has been able to avoid deportation to Jamaica after a judge ruled that going back to his home country would “unduly harsh” to his children.

Jamaican Shawn Rickford McLeod challenged a deportation order after being jailed for three years and four months for three counts of supplying class A drugs.

The 40-year-old who came to Britain in 2000 appealed the order on the grounds that it would breach his rights to a family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as he had three young children in the UK with his wife.

Judge David Chaim Brannan at a lower immigration tribunal ruled in his favour, finding that deportation would be “unduly harsh” on his children and that “he genuinely wants to avoid reoffending (except for cannabis use) so he can care for his children”.

The Telegraph reported that McLeod told both his prison and probation officers overseeing his release on licence as well as Judge Brannan that “he intended to continue to use cannabis” irrespective of whether he was allowed to remain in the country.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said it was “mind-boggling” and “appalling” that a repeat class A drug dealer should be allowed to stay in the UK. “These foreign criminals should all be kicked out. The ever-expanding interpretation of ECHR articles by weak immigration judges has to end,” he said.

“Immigration judges seem more interested in letting foreign drug dealers and paedophiles stay in the UK than in upholding the law and protecting the British public from likely re-offending. This farce has to end, and it’s clear fundamental changes to human rights laws are needed.”