Riot leaders could escape prosecution

Dozens of inmates who went on the rampage at Harmondsworth detention centre, causing £5million damage, could escape prosecution.

Lawyers warned that if the failed asylum seekers are convicted, their home countries could refuse to accept them back - leading to their staying in Britain indefinitely.

Sixteen inmates are still being questioned by police after the violence, sparked by death of of an inmate who was found hanged at the detention centre near Heathrow. A 17th person was arrested overnight in relation to the disturbances.

Fires were started and windows smashed as trouble erupted at 11pm on Monday, after the death of the 31-year-old Ukrainian detainee who was due to be deported yesterday. Much of the damage at the two-year-old centre was caused by fire sprinklers.

Immigration lawyers have warned that the ringleaders, believed to be mainly Jamaican nationals, could face persecution if they are deported with criminal records, forcing Britain to grant them the asylum they have already been refused.

As no one was seriously injured in the disturbance, a decision may well be made not to charge the detainees.