Epping Sex Offender Arrested, But Has The Damage Been Done?
Has the mistaken release of a migrant sex offender from prison hurt the government?
October 26, 2025
36 min
1,754 of 2,000

October 26, 2025
Epping Sex Offender Arrested, But Has The Damage Been Done?
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36:54This episodeEpping Sex Offender Arrested, But Has The Damage Been Done?
Summary
<p>Today, we look at the rearrest of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu, and discuss what his mistaken release means for confidence in the government.</p><p>Kebatu had been mistakenly released on Friday from HMP Chelmsford, where he was serving a 12-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex.</p><p>We also discuss an apology from Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin, after she said: “it drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”.</p><p>Labour cabinet minister Wes Streeting has called the comment racist. Pochin says “My comments were phrased poorly and I apologise for any offence caused, which was not my intention.”</p><p>And we look at Laura’s interview with Former US Vice-President Kamala Harris, in which said said she was 'concerned' she did not ask Biden to quit the presidential race.
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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Paddy O’Connell and Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Chris Flynn with Sophie Millward. The social producer was Darren Dutton. The technical producer was Frank McWeeny. The weekend series editor is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.</p>
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