BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg halted her Sunday morning show to issue an urgent update on the wrongfully freed migrant sex attacker.
Laura Kuenssberg interrupted her Sunday politics show for some breaking news (Image: BBC)
Laura Kuenssberg brought her BBC morning politics show to a halt to issue a breaking news update about the Epping sex attack migrant who was accidentally freed from prison. On Sunday (October 26), the 49-year-old broadcaster returned to the airwaves for her weekly show, where she interviewed some of the biggest names in politics about the issues the country is facing. But minutes into the show, the broadcaster halted her usual scheduled programming to issue an update about the convicted sex offender Hadush Kebatu.
She told viewers: “I do want to interrupt for a sec because we do have more information about the arrest of Hadush Kebatu. He, of course, is the Ethiopian sex offender who sparked riots over the summer. He has been arrested this morning. We have a statement from the Metropolitan Police Commander, James Conway, who was overseeing the operation to find him.”
The official statement read: This has been a diligent and fast-paced investigation led by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police, supported by Essex Police and the British Transport Police.
“Information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park, and following a search, they located Mr Kebatu. He was detained by police, but will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service.” He added: “I am extremely grateful to the public for their support following our appeal, which assisted in locating My Kebatu.”
The presenter added: “So, it seems like a tip-off from the public has brought an end to that manhunt,” before moving on with the show. The former asylum seeker was wrongfully set free when he was due to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported on Friday (October 24).
Kenbatu became one of the country’s highest-profile sex offenders after reports of his crime sparked protests at the Bell Hotel in Epping, where he was staying while seeking asylum.
Ethiopian migrant Hadush Kebatu has been arrested after a three-day manhunt (Image: Essex Police/AFP via Getty Image)
The Ethiopian national told two teenagers he wanted to “have a baby with each of them” before trying to kiss them, putting his hand on one of the girls’ thighs and stroking her hair.
He also sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg, and telling her she was pretty. His release has caused major embarrassment for the government, with Justice Secretary David Lammy saying he was “livid” on behalf of the public over the error.
This morning, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “There does need to be accountability for such an egregious failure.” Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg airs on Sundays from 9am on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
