Peter Foster case - Home Office timetable

The Home Office has released a step-by-step account of its dealings with convicted conman Peter Foster, whom it has been trying to remove from the country.

Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes said details of her department's dealings with Mr Foster were being made public to show the case had been handled in an "entirely impartial and proper way".

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31 August 2002

• Mr Foster arrives on a flight from Malaga. He is refused entry and served with removal directions for 3 September.

2 September

• The Immigration Service is notified that an injunction has been obtained, preventing removal, to allow Mr Foster's representatives to lodge a judicial review application.

3 September

• The Immigration Service is advised that the judicial review application has been lodged.

10 September

• Temporary admission [given by immigration officers at ports, to allow applicants to "enter" the UK while their application is being dealt with] is extended for three months pending the outcome of the judicial review application.

4 November

• Treasury Solicitors are advised that permission to enter was refused Mr Foster on 30 October, in the judicial review application, but that he has until 19 November to make a further application for an oral hearing.

2 December

• Treasury solicitors are advised that permission was again refused (at the 28 November oral hearing), and Mr Foster can now be removed.

• Mr Foster's solicitors are notified of a change to the terms of his temporary admission, requiring him to report to Luton Airport on 18 December with a view to finalising his removal arrangements.

3 December

• In a discussion between a chief immigration officer at Luton Airport and the removals team at the immigration department, the Luton officer argues that with application for judicial review refused, there is no reason to delay removal until 18 December.

• As a result, a decision is reached to set removal directions for Friday 6 December or the first available flight thereafter.

• In the event, no removal directions are formally set, because, in a subsequent three-way discussion involving a department caseworker, a representative of the Treasury solicitors and Mr Foster's representative, Mr David Janes, Mr Janes raised the possibility of a further appeal.

4 December

• Treasury solicitors confirm that an appeal has been lodged, and that the process could take up to two months.

• No further action is taken. Mr Foster's request that he be allowed to remain in the UK while his appeal proceeds is being considered.