LONDON, April 29 (UPI) -- British Home Secretary Charles Clarke admitted 72 foreign prisoners who should have been deported were still at large and five had committed new crimes.
At least 10 of the 72 freed prisoners are murderers, rapists or pedophiles. One murderer was back in prison after breaking the terms of his release license.
The Home Office is the government department responsible for police, national security, the justice system and immigration in England and Wales.
Police checks for new crimes have been carried out only on the 79 most serious offenders out of the 1,023 released. In 63 of the 72 cases where deportation had been considered, officials have decided that the offenders should be forced to leave the country, The Times of London reported.
Clarke made clear he would not resign and appeared to blame the problems on his predecessor, David Blunkett, and senior officials who have left the Department. He said changes would be made to repair the system.
Nick Clegg, a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament, said Clarke's statement was "cold comfort" to victims of the crimes.
