UK prisoner on the run after ‘being temporary freed for wedding’
Published on November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM by Edgar Naitha
Police have launched a manhunt for 32-year-old Palestine Action protester Sean Middleborough, who failed to return to HMP Wandsworth after being temporarily released to attend his brother’s wedding.
Middleborough had been on remand over an alleged plan to disrupt the London Stock Exchange and was charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
Prison officers reportedly granted him temporary bail for the family event, but he never came back.
His disappearance comes amid a series of embarrassing prison blunders, including two mistaken releases from Wandsworth in recent days.
One of those freed in error, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, was rearrested after protesting that his release had been “illegal,” while another, Billy Smith, voluntarily returned to custody.
These incidents follow the wrongful release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford, who was later recaptured.
Justice Secretary David Lammy has ordered an independent inquiry and tighter release checks, blaming outdated paper-based systems for repeated failures.
Officials have reminded the public that absconding is a serious offence and urged anyone with information about Middleborough’s whereabouts to contact police.
