MP booed for defending Nigerian conman's UK residency

A Labour MP is facing backlash after defending a judge's decision to let a Nigerian conman stay in the UK. Emmanuel Jack, 35, tricked vulnerable women on dating sites out of nearly £200,000. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2014 but had his British citizenship revoked by the Home Office. However, he is now allowed to remain in the UK due to his family's need for medical care. Barry Gardiner, the MP for Brent North, spoke about the case on a news program, emphasizing that Jack had served his time. He claimed that Jack was helping save money for taxpayers by being there for his family. This viewpoint was met with boos from the audience. The program's host had to intervene as opinions became heated. Jack faced deportation in late 2022 but challenged the decision. An immigration tribunal ruled against his deportation, stating it would be too harsh for his family. The court noted that Jack married his British wife after his prison release. They have two young daughters, one of whom has significant health issues that require continuous care. The judges believed that moving to Nigeria would disrupt the care the children receive from the NHS. They concluded that Jack plays a critical role in his children's lives, and deporting him would negatively impact their well-being and access to ongoing medical support.