Page updated 21st June – You can read the response Hilary has now had from the Education Secretary about this case here.

Lots of constituents have contacted me about the death of Shukri Abdi. I was very sorry to hear about this extremely sad case and send my deepest condolences to Shukri’s family.

As you may be aware, following Shukri’s death, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it was treating what happened as a “tragic incident” and did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances. The Independent Office for Police Conduct announced in August 2019 that it would investigate GMP’s handling of the case.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester says he has written to the coroner pledging support for the process that is under way and calling for “the widest possible investigation into what happened both on the day and in the months leading up to it, looking at the actions of all public bodies involved.” He also said, “once the inquest is concluded, we will of course consider what further action may be needed on the back of it.” The Mayor has outlined a commitment to ensuring “the truth of what happened is clearly established.” While I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on an ongoing legal matter, I can assure you I will be monitoring developments closely.

I note the local MP representing Shukri’s family has raised her case with the Secretary of State for Education.

In response, the Secretary of State for Education wrote to the Interim Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel and asked for reassurances that “all the facts have been properly established.” He further asked the Chair to “liaise with the safeguarding partners in Bury to see if any further information relating to Shukri’s life and events leading to her death has come to light.”

Many constituents also raise general concerns about how asylum seekers are accommodated. I have long had concerns that our asylum accommodation system is not fit for purpose and I will continue to urge the Government to ensure our asylum system is effective, fair and humane.

Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds Central

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