A police force has hit back at accusations it was involved in a ‘cover up’ to protect the identify of asylum seekers after a 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Nuneaton
Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith of Warwickshire Police(Image: Warwickshire Police)
Warwickshire Police has denied allegations it was involved in a ‘cover up’ to protect the identify of asylum seekers charged over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton.
Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, appeared in court last week charged with raping the girl in Nuneaton on Tuesday, July 22.
Mohammad Kabir, also 23, was charged with kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting the rape of a girl aged under 13.
READ MORE: Two men charged in connection with Nuneaton rape investigation as police issue statement
Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch alleged on social media that the two men were asylum seekers.
Mr Finch accused the Home Office and Warwickshire Police of covering up their immigration status.
The force’s Chief Constable, Alex Franklin-Smith, tonight hit back at the council leader, claiming there was no “cover up”.
In an open letter to Mr Finch, he said: “Warwickshire Police did not and will not cover up such criminality.
“As I confirmed to you when we spoke for the first time on July 31, in events such as these it is good practice for police forces to work closely with partner agencies in order that we can collectively protect our communities.”
He claimed: “You informed me you had already received a confidential briefing from your chief executive and that you knew the person charged was an asylum seeker.
“I confirmed this was accurate and we wouldn’t be releasing immigration status at point of charge as we follow national guidance.
“I explained the information would become public knowledge as part of the court process and that all partners must ensure we’re prepared to manage any potential protest and/or disorder at that stage.”
Mr Franklin-Smith said he had asked the Home Office to confirm the full immigration status of both men after Mr Finch leaked their information into the public domain.
The Chief Constable said the force’s priority had been with supporting the alleged victim while bringing the suspected offenders to justice.
He added: “I am incredibly grateful to the many Warwickshire Police officers who worked around the clock and whose efforts led to Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir being charged with offences within a matter of days.
“We are not looking for anyone else, but our ongoing support to the victim by specialist officers will of course continue.”
He said he was confident that his police force had treated the investigation seriously.
Mulakhil and Kabir will next appear at Warwick Crown Court on August 26.