Rwanda fears for five
Rwanda fears for five
Plus: £20k reward for unsolved Brummie murder
Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Tuesday briefing
Last night, arrests were made outside a Solihull immigration centre during a protest in support of five people being held inside. The Dispatch spoke to several eye-witnesses and a friend of one of the five, and we have seen footage of some of the arrests. More in your Brum in brief below.
An update on yesterday’s briefing: In proof that politics moves at a lightning pace, The Dispatch understands that Coventry City Council leader George Duggins will not face a leadership challenge in the near future. There have been whispers that some Labour councillors were preparing to try to oust Duggins from the top spot, but our party source tells us he is safe — for now at least.
Elsewhere, we have a couple of Bank Holiday (yes, it also took us by surprise) treats at the end of today’s newsletter — including an extraordinary, one-time-only event, that takes us back to when we could party all weekend without a care. Plus: notes on why Uber drivers are protesting, airport chaos and why Crimestoppers is putting up a five-figure reward for an unsolved Birmingham murder.
Stay dry — well, as much as you possibly can.
Brum in Brief
🚨Immigration centre arrests: 13 arrests were made outside an immigration centre in Solihull last night during a protest in support of five migrants. Refugee rights campaigners and concerned members of the public had gathered outside Sandford House at 41 Homer Road yesterday following news that Home Office plans to begin deportations to Rwanda were being expedited. As revealed in the Guardian on Sunday, officials plan to hold asylum seekers who turn up for routine meetings at immigration service offices or bail appointments and will also pick people up nationwide in a surprise two-week exercise.
The Dispatch spoke to Moji Ashkboos whose friend, an asylum seeker from Iran where he faces persecution for being a Christian, is one of the five being held. We have not named him for his protection. He has been in the country for two years and attends routine appointments at the centre every two weeks, but yesterday did not come out. The Dispatch has contacted West Midlands Police to confirm the reason for the 13 arrests and will update on this story as more details come in.
Do you know any of the five people being held at Sandford House? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Please get in touch at: editor@birminghamdispatch.co.uk
💰£20k killer info: Crimestoppers are hoping to obtain critical leads in an unsolved Birmingham killing by putting up a £20k reward for information. Kevin Lomas was found stabbed to death at his home in April 2021 and the charity is keen to get information to help them close this case. “Our charity would like to help Kevin’s heartbroken family see justice,” said Alan Edwards, manager at Crimestoppers West Midlands, adding that those contacting can remain anonymous but the reward expires in three months. All the information.
🚕Uber protest: Yesterday Uber drivers protested pay levels outside the firm’s Aston hub as well as in front of Birmingham’s New Street Station. Up to 100 drivers formed a convoy hitting back at what they say is falling pay and unfair conditions. The app-based taxi firm say they guarantee national living wage, holiday pay and sickness protection. Minhaj Uddin, from the Uber Drivers' Union UK told BirminghamLive: “We’re here because we’re suffering.” Full details.
🛬Brum airport chaos — again: Brummie holidaymakers vented on social media after a technical problem in security sparked huge queues with some missing their flights. Scott Miller took to X to criticise the operations. “Absolute shocking incompetence by the airport,” he fumed. Although the airport has apologised this latest debacle comes weeks after would-be jet-setters were reduced to tears at BHX when queues stopped many from going abroad. By June, the Solihull-based flight hub hopes to have brand new security in place to speed up passenger processing.
🌃After-hours: Compton Verney is opening its grounds and galleries later than usual on Bank Holiday Saturday. Lucky punters can access different areas taken over by artists, musicians, performers and DJs, as they’re transported through movement, sculpture and sound. All the details on this extraordinary occasion here.
🎛️UK Garage festival: For those who want to use the extra weekend day to overindulge and nurse a hangover, you can head down to Sidewinder Festival at The NEC to indulge in some UK Garage and Bassline (two very Midlands dance music genres). While Kate and I might be taking it easy, we’re both massive fans of these important genres. If I was there, you couldn’t take me away from seeing either So Solid Crew or DJ Q. All the 130BPM info at a click.