A planned Home Office private deportation flight from the UK to Albania and then Egypt had to be cancelled after an Egyptian man in detention swallowed a lithium vape battery. The incident occurred just before he was to board the flight, raising concerns about the security and management of detainees during such procedures. The individual was known for causing disruptions during previous attempts at removal, prompting the authorities to keep him in segregated detention prior to the flight.

The man was given access to a vape while held in detention, which is being scrutinized by officials as part of the ongoing investigation. Following the incident, he was taken to the hospital for treatment and has since returned to detention. A spokesperson for Mitie, the contractor responsible for deportation services, stated that an inquiry is underway but so far, no indications of wrongdoing or procedural breaches have been found regarding the circumstances of the incident.

This situation highlights the complexities and challenges related to the deportation of foreign nationals, particularly those described as difficult or disruptive. With ongoing investigations, the Home Office may have to reevaluate its processes for managing detainees to ensure their safety and compliance during deportation flights, while also considering the implications on the operational integrity of services contracted for such sensitive matters.