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A RAPE charge against a man staying in an asylum hotel was kept quiet — as officials feared inflaming “community tension”.
There were also two other rape cases where it was not disclosed that the suspects were in taxpayer-funded asylum hotels.
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Council officials recommended rape charges against an asylum seeker living at a taxpayer-funded hotel be kept quietCredit: Darren Fletcher
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said the “perception of a migrant cover-up” was growing.
He went on: “The illegal small-boat crossings are a national security emergency.
"We’ve seen terrorism, murders and rapes from those who’ve come here illegally. It’s outrageous.
“Women in towns with asylum hotels shouldn’t have to live in fear.
The authorities must trust the public with the truth and act to protect them.”
The rape suspects were all housed in Home Office-funded accommodation in Portsmouth, London and Manchester.
At Portsmouth, the alleged rape was followed by a concerted effort to keep secret the suspect’s link to an asylum hotel.
He was charged with rape and voyeurism after the alleged attack on a woman on June 11.
No statement was issued about the case but Portsmouth City Council officials were briefed privately.
The Sun understands councillors were warned not to speak about the suspect’s housing, with one council officer raising fears about “community tension” if it was known.
Another senior official privately urged Portsmouth Independents Party leader Cllr George Madgwick not to share “privileged confidential information” after he took to social media to express his frustration.
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Reform leader Nigel Farage has called for dismissals of the council officials involvedCredit: Getty
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Robert Jenrick MP has warned the 'perception of a migrant cover-up' was growingCredit: Getty
Cllr Madgwick said: “This is precisely why the public don’t trust politicians and public bodies: things are hidden that should be disclosed.
Anyone involved in any form of cover-up from disclosure to the public should question their role in a publicly funded position.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said last night: “The council officials who hid the truth about these serious allegations should immediately face the sack.
"Decent people are getting angrier every day.”
Portsmouth City Council effectively admitted it chose not to go public, saying it was informed of the charge ahead of the court hearing but left public statements to police.
A spokesman said: “We knew the Home Office accommodation link would become public knowledge through the court proceedings and, based on events elsewhere in the country, were conscious there may be community tensions related to it.”
There were also two other rape cases where it was not disclosed that the suspects were in taxpayer-funded asylum hotels.
4
Council officials recommended rape charges against an asylum seeker living at a taxpayer-funded hotel be kept quietCredit: Darren Fletcher
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said the “perception of a migrant cover-up” was growing.
He went on: “The illegal small-boat crossings are a national security emergency.
"We’ve seen terrorism, murders and rapes from those who’ve come here illegally. It’s outrageous.
“Women in towns with asylum hotels shouldn’t have to live in fear.
The authorities must trust the public with the truth and act to protect them.”
The rape suspects were all housed in Home Office-funded accommodation in Portsmouth, London and Manchester.
At Portsmouth, the alleged rape was followed by a concerted effort to keep secret the suspect’s link to an asylum hotel.
He was charged with rape and voyeurism after the alleged attack on a woman on June 11.
No statement was issued about the case but Portsmouth City Council officials were briefed privately.
The Sun understands councillors were warned not to speak about the suspect’s housing, with one council officer raising fears about “community tension” if it was known.
Another senior official privately urged Portsmouth Independents Party leader Cllr George Madgwick not to share “privileged confidential information” after he took to social media to express his frustration.
4
Reform leader Nigel Farage has called for dismissals of the council officials involvedCredit: Getty
4
Robert Jenrick MP has warned the 'perception of a migrant cover-up' was growingCredit: Getty
Cllr Madgwick said: “This is precisely why the public don’t trust politicians and public bodies: things are hidden that should be disclosed.
Anyone involved in any form of cover-up from disclosure to the public should question their role in a publicly funded position.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said last night: “The council officials who hid the truth about these serious allegations should immediately face the sack.
"Decent people are getting angrier every day.”
Portsmouth City Council effectively admitted it chose not to go public, saying it was informed of the charge ahead of the court hearing but left public statements to police.
A spokesman said: “We knew the Home Office accommodation link would become public knowledge through the court proceedings and, based on events elsewhere in the country, were conscious there may be community tensions related to it.”
