MP: Answers needed over Asha
A Shropshire MP today called for a parliamentary debate on why the Government dropped a bid to deport Royal Shrewsbury Hospital doctor Mohammed Asha after previously maintaining he was a threat to national security. A Shropshire MP today called for a parliamentary debate on why the Government dropped a bid to deport Royal Shrewsbury Hospital doctor Mohammed Asha after previously maintaining he was a threat to national security. Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has written to the Speaker of the House of Commons calling for a debate when parliament returns in October over the Home Office's role in the affair. Last week Dr Asha, 28, returned to the Royal Shrewsbury to complete his training as a junior doctor. He had previously worked there until August 2006. He was cleared last year of conspiracy to murder and cause explosions after the London and Glasgow bomb plots in 2007. The Government last week withdrew a long-standing attempt to deport him. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
A Shropshire MP today called for a parliamentary debate on why the Government dropped a bid to deport Royal Shrewsbury Hospital doctor Mohammed Asha after previously maintaining he was a threat to national security.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski has written to the Speaker of the House of Commons calling for a debate when parliament returns in October over the Home Office's role in the affair.
Last week Dr Asha, 28, returned to the Royal Shrewsbury to complete his training as a junior doctor. He had previously worked there until August 2006.
He was cleared last year of conspiracy to murder and cause explosions after the London and Glasgow bomb plots in 2007.
The Government last week withdrew a long-standing attempt to deport him.
The Home Office deportation case against him was due to be heard by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) in October.
At a Siac bail hearing in January, lawyers for the Home Secretary said Dr Asha was a threat to national security and should be sent back to Jordan.
But the panel, chaired by Mr Justice Mitting, ruled he could be released on bail. The panel also said it was not in the public interest that he be prevented from working for the NHS.
Mr Kawczynski said today: "This is a very important issue that needs an airing because one moment this man is said to be a threat to national security and next thing he is back working at the hospital.
"The Home Office needs to give an explanation of its conduct in this matter," he added.
"I will also be listening very carefully to my constituents over the next week to hear what they have got to say about it."
Tom Taylor, chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust, yesterday defended the decision to take Dr Asha back.
Mr Taylor said: "It is important to remember he has been proven innocent and the Government had withdrawn its application for deportation before he returned to the trust."
Dr Asha is currently working in the A&E department of the Royal Shrewsbury.
By Health Correspondent Dave Morris
