Justice Secretary David Lammy was recently dismissed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham amid controversy over attempts to withhold data on foreign national offending in England and Wales. Lammy’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) faced criticism for resisting the release of information detailing the scope of crimes committed by non-British nationals, specifically concerning sexual offences recorded between 2018 and 2024.
The dispute centers on a ruling by the Information Commissioner, which ordered the MoJ to disclose data following a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Centre for Migration Control. The request sought transparency on convictions by nationality to better understand the relationship between migration and crime rates. While the MoJ argued that publishing this data would incur prohibitive costs and potentially violate individuals’ privacy rights, the Information Commissioner dismissed these concerns.
Published segments of the data reveal that foreign nationals accounted for 23 percent of sexual offences from 2021 to 2023, despite comprising approximately 9 percent of the population in England and Wales. The figures show that Afghan and Eritrean nationals were approximately 20 times more likely to be convicted of sexual offences than British citizens. Other nationalities cited with high conviction rates included Romanian, Polish, Indian, and Pakistani individuals. Overall, foreign nationals were found to be 71 percent more likely to commit sexual crimes compared to Britons, according to Police National Computer records.
Critics argue that the influx of migrants arriving without reliable identification, often discarding passports and falsifying personal details, complicates background checks and immigration controls. Concerns have also been raised about cultural differences relating to gender and sexual conduct, with some observers linking these factors to offending trends. At the same time, officials and advocates caution against generalizing these findings to all migrants, emphasizing that not all new arrivals engage in criminal behaviour.
The reluctance by the government to fully disclose these statistics has fueled accusations of a deliberate cover-up, echoing past controversies involving foreign national criminal groups, such as those linked to high-profile grooming cases. While the government asserts that foreign offenders are removed promptly after serving sentences, critics highlight ongoing difficulties in deporting certain individuals due to legal obstacles. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has reportedly faced challenges in deporting figures like Rochdale rape gang leader Shabir Ahmed.
The MoJ contends that the financial cost of releasing the comprehensive data is significant and emphasizes the need to protect individuals’ privacy. However, the Information Commissioner maintains that the data can be shared without compromising personal identities. Meanwhile, the debate underscores broader tensions around migration policy, public safety, and transparency.
Currently, more than 10,000 foreign nationals are incarcerated in prisons across England and Wales, with an additional estimated 20,000 individuals who have avoided deportation living within the community. How many potentially dangerous offenders remain undetected or at large is uncertain.
Following Lammy’s dismissal, it remains to be seen how his successor, Alex Norris, and regional leaders like Andy Burnham will address concerns over migrant crime data transparency and immigration enforcement moving forward. Observers agree that access to detailed and accurate information is critical to formulating effective policy responses and managing public trust.