An intense search is underway for a second foreign offender following a prison mishap, drawing criticism from David Lammy. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed shock and indignation over the accidental release of a 24-year-old Algerian individual from HMP Wandsworth on October 29. The Metropolitan Police was notified of the incident on Tuesday.

The revelation of this latest blunder came after Mr. Lammy faced pressure from lawmakers regarding the release of asylum seekers post the Hadush Kebatu scandal. Notably, the absconded individual is not an asylum seeker. Mr. Lammy condemned the error, emphasizing the need for accountability and rectification within the criminal justice system.

In response to the situation, an urgent manhunt has been launched by the Metropolitan Police to locate the missing individual and return him to custody. Mr. Lammy assured that efforts are underway to address the systemic flaws contributing to such lapses, with an independent investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens aimed at identifying and resolving these issues.

During a parliamentary session, Mr. Lammy faced scrutiny for not disclosing any further accidental releases following the incident involving Hadush Kebatu, who was recently deported after being wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford. The Justice Ministry has come under severe criticism for this latest incident, calling for transparency and accountability from government officials.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the release of the Algerian national, highlighting the ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend him. The swift response from law enforcement underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need to swiftly address such errors to ensure public safety.