Britain’s Broken Borders: Is the UK Beyond Repair? By Richard Miller (Londonistan)
Patrick Christys' scathing commentary on GB News, published on October 24, 2025, encapsulates a growing sentiment among many in the United Kingdom: the nation's immigration and justice systems are failing, leaving its citizens vulnerable and its sovereignty compromised. The accidental release of Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian Channel migrant convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl shortly after arriving in Britain, has become a flashpoint for public outrage. Christys' declaration that "Britain is broken" resonates with those who see this incident as emblematic of deeper systemic failures, failures that raise the question: is the UK's ability to protect its citizens and enforce its laws so eroded that it is beyond repair?
Hadush Kebatu's case is a stark illustration of what Christys and others perceive as a broken system. Arriving illegally via the Channel, Kebatu was in the UK for mere days before committing a spree of sexual assaults, targeting a young girl in a school uniform. The severity of his crimes sparked widespread protests, including outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, and fuelled the "Raise the Colours" movement, a grassroots campaign demanding an end to Britain as a "dumping ground for foreign sex criminals." Yet, despite his high-profile conviction and the public attention it garnered, Kebatu was mistakenly released from prison due to a paperwork error, instead of being transferred to an immigration centre for deportation. This blunder has left the public reeling, with Christys posing the critical question: "Who is protecting our women and girls?"
The incident exposes multiple layers of failure. First, the inability to prevent illegal entry allowed Kebatu to arrive undetected. Second, the justice system failed to keep a dangerous offender detained. Third, the immigration system failed to deport him promptly, compounded by an administrative error that set him free. For critics like Christys, this trifecta of incompetence underscores a broader collapse in governance, where neither borders nor public safety are adequately protected.
The Kebatu case is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern that fuels the narrative of a "broken Britain." Illegal Channel crossings have been a persistent issue, with thousands of migrants arriving annually, often facilitated by smuggling networks. The UK government's struggle to control these crossings, exacerbated by legal challenges to policies like the Rwanda deportation plan, has left many feeling that the nation's borders are porous. Christys' assertion that "we can't stop sex offenders breaking into Britain" reflects a widespread perception that the government lacks the will or capacity to secure its frontiers.
Once inside the UK, the system's inability to manage offenders further erodes public trust. The fact that Kebatu, a known and high-profile offender, could be released due to a clerical error speaks to systemic dysfunction within the prison and immigration services. This isn't just about one man; it's about a bureaucracy that appears overwhelmed, underfunded, or mismanaged. The failure to deport Kebatu promptly also highlights the complexities of immigration law, where human rights considerations and legal loopholes can delay or prevent the removal of dangerous individuals. For many, this creates a sense of injustice, as the rights of victims, particularly women and girls, seem secondary to procedural technicalities.
The public's anger, as Christys notes, stems from fear and frustration. The "Raise the Colours" movement reflects a growing demand for accountability, with citizens feeling unprotected by a government that cannot stop, detain, or deport serious offenders. This sentiment is compounded by high-profile cases of violent crime involving migrants, which amplify perceptions that the UK is becoming a haven for foreign criminals. Whether this perception aligns with statistical reality is secondary to its emotional and political impact: trust in institutions is fracturing.
The question of whether Britain is "beyond repair" is both rhetorical and existential. From the perspective of Christys and his supporters, the system's failures are so profound that they threaten the social contract. If the state cannot protect its citizens, enforce its laws, or control its borders, what is its purpose? The release of Kebatu is seen not as an anomaly but as a symptom of a deeper malaise, a government out of touch with public concerns, bogged down by bureaucracy, and constrained by legal frameworks that prioritise process over outcomes.
Yet, the "beyond repair" narrative risks oversimplification. The UK faces complex challenges: global migration pressures, strained public services, and a legal system navigating competing demands of justice and human rights. Fixing these issues requires more than outrage; it demands practical solutions. Strengthening border security, for instance, could involve increased investment in coastal patrols or international cooperation to dismantle smuggling networks. Reforming the deportation process might require streamlined legal pathways to remove dangerous offenders while respecting due process. Addressing prison overcrowding and administrative errors could involve better training, technology, or oversight. These are daunting but not insurmountable tasks.
However, the political will to enact such reforms is complicated by polarised debates. On one side, critics like Christys demand tougher measures, arguing that leniency and incompetence endanger citizens. On the other, advocates for migrant rights caution against demonising all immigrants based on the actions of a few, pointing to the UK's international obligations under asylum and human rights law. Bridging this divide requires leadership that can balance compassion with security, a tall order in a climate of distrust.
The "Raise the Colours" movement and Christys' commentary reflect a broader call for accountability and change. To restore public confidence, the government must demonstrate competence in three key areas: border control, offender management, and deportation. Transparency is also critical, publicising data on illegal crossings, crime rates among migrants, and deportation outcomes could counter perceptions of secrecy or inaction. Additionally, addressing the root causes of public anger, such as resource shortages in law enforcement and immigration services, is essential to prevent future failures like Kebatu's release.
Is Britain beyond repair? Not yet. But the path to repair requires acknowledging the depth of public frustration and translating it into effective policy. The Kebatu case is a wake-up call, a reminder that systemic failures have real-world consequences. If unaddressed, these failures risk fuelling further unrest, empowering populist movements, and deepening the sense that Britain is indeed "broken."
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