Warwickshire Police's chief constable has firmly denied accusations of a "cover-up" after Reform UK politicians claimed the force withheld information about two Afghan asylum seekers charged with raping a 12-year-old girl. Alex Franklin-Smith has now asked the Home Office to confirm the full immigration status of the suspects following the political controversy.
The row erupted after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch accused police of concealing details about Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir, both 23-year-old Afghan asylum seekers. Finch, the youngest council leader in the country, wrote to the Home Secretary claiming that not publicising their immigration status "risks public disorder breaking out on the streets of Warwickshire".
Chief constable's firm response
In his response to Finch, Franklin-Smith wrote that the force "did not and will not" cover up alleged criminality. He said Warwickshire Police had "treated this investigation seriously from the outset working tirelessly to identify, locate, arrest and charge those suspected of being responsible for this awful crime as quickly as possible".
The chief constable revealed that Finch had already received a confidential briefing about the suspects' asylum seeker status on 31st July. Franklin-Smith confirmed this information was accurate but explained that police follow national guidance by not releasing immigration status at the point of charge.
Court appearances and charges
Following the reported attack in Nuneaton, Mulakhil was arrested on 26th July and charged the next day with rape. He appeared at Coventry Magistrates' Court last Monday and has been remanded in custody.
Kabir was arrested in Nuneaton on Thursday and charged with kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting rape of a girl under 13. He appeared at Coventry Magistrates' Court on Saturday and has also been remanded in custody.
Government calls for transparency
The controversy comes amid fierce debate about police transparency following high-profile cases including the Southport killings last year. On Tuesday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said "we do think more transparency is needed" in police information and that "guidance needs to change".
A Home Office spokesperson said it had been "widely reported that this case involves two Afghan individuals who are in the asylum system, some of which information has already been confirmed in open court". The Home Office and College of Policing are working together to strengthen guidance around information release.
Warwickshire Police said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the reported rape but continue to appeal for witnesses who may have information to assist inquiries.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
