BBC investigation finds convicted people smuggler Twana Jamal living in UK claiming asylum
A BBC investigation has discovered that convicted people smuggler Twana Jamal is living and working in the UK while claiming asylum, raising questions about the handling of his case.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A BBC investigation has found a convicted people smuggler, known as the Godfather of People Trafficking, living and working in the UK while claiming asylum. Twana Jamal, who was jailed in France in 2016 for making millions of pounds hiding migrants in lorries bound for Britain, has been tracked to a village high street in Leicestershire. He is believed to be running vape and sweet shops alongside his brother, including one next to the office of the local MP.
Jamal, originally from Iraqi Kurdistan, was once dubbed the King of the Jungle for his role in the Calais migrant camp. French police described him as the most successful smuggler they had ever caught. The BBC investigation, led by reporter Sue Mitchell and former soldier Rob Lawrie, used distinctive physical features such as a tattoo and a kink in his ear to identify him. Undercover footage showed Jamal using the alias Sultan with customers.
When confronted by the BBC, Jamal denied working in the shop despite being observed doing so for days. He refused to give his name, saying the Home Office would know if he had committed any offence. He claimed he had been in the UK for almost 20 years and was still waiting for an asylum decision. The Home Office stated it carries out mandatory security checks and has agreements with other countries to share criminal record information, but did not specify what checks were made in this case.
The investigation raises questions about how a convicted smuggler could remain in the UK and operate businesses while his asylum claim is pending. It also highlights concerns about the use of small businesses to launder money from people smuggling. The BBC has made a podcast series, To Catch a King, detailing the investigation.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Jamal denied working in the shop despite being observed doing so for days. | |
| Jamal used the alias Sultan when working in the shop. | |
| The Home Office carries out mandatory security checks but does not specify what checks are made. | |
| The Home Office has agreements with other countries to share criminal record information. | |
| Twana Jamal bragged about controlling the city in secret recordings. | |
| Twana Jamal is claiming asylum in the UK, despite a rule that should automatically refuse him. | |
| Twana Jamal was convicted in France in 2016 for people smuggling and jailed for five years. | |
| Twana Jamal was found living and working in Leicestershire. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This broadcast led with a weather segment before transitioning into the investigation. The report emphasised the dramatic undercover operation, including the moment the reporter confronted Jamal. It included the full confrontation exchange and ended with a promotion for the BBC Sounds podcast.
- “If he pulls in here, that is the moment really we've got him. His fan's coming round now. Right, he's pulled in, there you go, right. That's him, down.”
- “Do the home office know your real identity Twana Jamal? Yes. The home office know that you're a convicted people smuggler. Smuggler? Yeah. I never.”
This broadcast included a promotional segment for Alan Partridge before the news. The investigation report was slightly truncated compared to the first, ending before the full confrontation. The tone remained focused on the smuggler's bragging and the undercover identification process.
- “Do the Home Office know your real identity, Tawana Jamal? Yes. The Home Office know that you're a convicted people smuggler? Smuggler? Yep. I never.”
- “Don't worry if you get a ticket from the police, I will pay it for you. Don't worry about anything in this city. We know everyone in this city. This city is ours.”
This broadcast presented the investigation as a standalone news item, followed by other headlines (Cathay Pacific flights). The report included the full confrontation and ended with the reporter's concluding remarks. The tone was direct, highlighting the contradiction of a convicted smuggler seeking asylum.
- “Do the Home Office know your real identity, Twana Jamal? The Home Office know that you're a convicted people smuggler. Smuggler? Yeah. I never.”
- “People in this country want people smugglers who are convicted of really serious crimes. Oh, who's doing serious crime? You, you were doing really serious.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.