FOREIGN citizens imprisoned in Britain are queueing up to claim damages under human rights laws, claiming that the Home Office is failing to deport them on time under an early release scheme.

A test case is being brought by a convicted drug smuggler, Charlesworth Christian, alleging that his human rights were breached because of the long delay in deporting him.

The High Court was told yesterday that he claims he stayed in jail longer than he expected because the Government failed to implement the early release scheme on time.

Papers prepared for the case show that the prison authorities have indicated that the early release scheme issue is “causing many prisoners distress”.

Christian, jailed for three years for importing class A drugs, was recommended for deportation to Antigua when he was sentenced. He was deported on Wednesday but his lawyers claim that he is entitled to compensation because of the delay in removing him under an early release scheme.

Lawyers for Christian claim that the Criminal Casework Team acted unlawfully and was guilty of maladministration because it did not implement the scheme in reasonable time.

At least eight other similar cases are awaiting the outcome of Christian’s application for judicial review, and human rights lawyers say that many more could follow if he wins.

Mr Justice Newman adjourned the case until next month to give lawyers acting for John Reid, the Home Secretary, and those acting for Christian time to prepare their arguments.

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