Charles Clarke

Charles Clarke, is a Member of Parliament (M.P.) for the British Labour Party. He represents the constituency of Norwich South since 1983. [1] He was currently the Home Secretary from 15 December, 2004 to the 5th May 2006. [2] [3] His successor as Home Secretary was Dr John Reid.

Clarke has been a strong supporter for the UK National Identity Cards Scheme as well as supporting the war in Iraq. Furthermore, Clarke has supported the idea of introducing Student Top-Up Fees. [4]

Prisoner Release Controversy

On April 25, 2006, it emerged that 1,023 foreign prisoners had been freed without being considered for deportation. Among the offenders five were convicted paedophiles, 57 for violent offences, three for murder and two for manslaughter. There were also 41 burglars, 20 drug importers, 54 convicted of assault and 27 of indecent assault. The 1,023 prisoners, were released between February 1999 and March 2006. The Home Office revealed that 288 prisoners were released from prison between August 2005 and March 2006 which suggested that the problem continued after it had been raised with the government. [5]

The National Audit Office had stated in a report in July 2005 that preparations to remove foreign criminals from the UK should begin "much earlier", and not be left until the end of their prison sentences. Clarke has admitted that his attention was first brought to the problem on publication of this report despite the fact that prisoner releases still kept taking place till March 2006. [6]

On April 28, 2006, it transpired that at least five of the foreign prisoners freed without being deported have gone on to commit more serious crimes.[7]

External links

• Profile: Charles Clarke , BBC, April 26, 2006.
• Clarke's Parliament Record, Theyworkforyou.com.
• Simon Jenkins, Conspiring in torture, betraying our freedom. Charles Clarke is a disaster, The Times, February 16, 2005.
• Clarke insists 'I will not quit', BBC, April, 25, 2006.
• How the deportation story emerged, BBC, April 26,2006.
• Nick Assinder, Clarke starting to look isolated, BBC, April 26, 2006.
• Richard Ford, Clarke knew of releases but still they carried on, The Times, April 27, 2006.
• Miranda Green, Clarke agrees Home Office is 'seriously dysfunctional', The Financial Times, April 27, 2006.
• Zoe Smith & Dominic Ponsford, Clarke vs the press, The Press Gazette, April 27, 2006.
• Michael White, Down but not quite out, The Guardian, April 27, 2006.
• Black Wednesday (II), The Times, April 27, 2006.
• Greg Hurst, Finance flaws may hold more pain, The Times, April 27, 2006.
• Zoe Smith, Journalists hit back at Clarke’s ‘poison’ slur, Press Gazette, April 27, 2006.
• Five Foreign prisoners have reoffended, BBC, April 28, 2006.
• Helena Kennedy, Listen please, Mr Clarke, The Guardian, April 28, 2006.
• Peter Riddell, Business as usual? Ask the three ministers who are far from secure, The Times, April 28, 2006.
• Jon Snow, Clarke's last stand, Channel 4, April 28, 2006.
• Harry MacAdam & Jamie Pyatt, Clarke must share blame, The Sun, April 29, 2006.
• Francis Elliott & Sophie Goodchild, Cover-up: Charles Clarke knew exactly how dangerous released prisoners were. But he kept it secret , The Independent on Sunday, April 30, 2006.