Shops linked to people smuggler to remain closed

A court has extended a closure order on two mini-marts in Leicestershire that have been linked to a convicted people smuggler.

A BBC investigation traced Twana Jamal, once described as "the godfather" of the French migrant camps, to Blaby where reporters witnessed him working illegally in two shops in the village.

Blaby District Council temporarily shut down the premises - both called Candy Corner - on Friday using a 72-hour emergency closure notice.

On Monday, the authority applied to Leicester Magistrates' Court for a three-month closure order but the case was adjourned.

However, the court agreed to extend the existing temporary order until the next hearing on 20 July.

The council said the adjournment would allow those with an interest in the premises an opportunity to respond to the proceedings.

Jamal is believed to have been seeking asylum in the UK. He told us he had applied and was "still waiting". It is not known what name he used on any application.

UK law says anyone who has spent 12 months or more in prison overseas should be refused asylum.

The Iraqi Kurd was given a five-year jail sentence in France in 2016, where authorities described him as one of the most successful people smugglers ever caught - earning up to £100,000 a week from moving illegal immigrants across the Channel.

At that time, the mode of travel preferred by cross-channel smugglers was freight lorries rather than small boats.

After Jamal told the BBC investigation team he was now based in Leicester, reporters looked at companies in the area that might be linked to him and found the two mini-marts in Blaby.

Reporters witnessed him working, driving a car without a licence and apparently using a false name.

When the team confronted Jamal, he said he had never had any involvement in people smuggling, had not been jailed in France and claimed to have been in the UK since 2009.

But when shown a picture of him in a French courtroom in 2016, he did not deny it was him.

Jamal denied he was working at the mini-mart despite having been seen by reporters behind the till, as well as moving stock in and out of the store.

One of the two stores that have been closed is next door to the constituency office of Conservative South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa.

Costa told the BBC it was "utterly unacceptable" that Jamal was living in the county and believed to be seeking asylum while working illegally.

District council leader Ben Taylor said: "The council had no prior awareness of the individual at the centre of these concerns.

"As soon as we became aware, we acted swiftly alongside Leicestershire Police and our partner agencies to protect the local community.

"Within hours, an emergency closure notice had been secured and the council subsequently applied to the court for up to a three-month closure order.

"We are disappointed that the court did not determine our application today and instead chose to adjourn the proceedings for 14 days.

"Given the ongoing concerns surrounding the premises, we believe a longer closure period is justified to help protect residents and support the wider community.

"We hope this provides reassurance to local residents and businesses and gives other agencies additional time to continue their investigations and consider any further action that may be necessary.

"Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of residents, businesses and visitors, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to protect our communities."

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