The Epping sex offender who was forcibly deported to Ethiopia was given a £500 payment after threatening to disrupt his removal.

Hadush Kebatu was removed from the country overnight, with a team of five escorts accompanying him on the flight, it is understood.

Whilst he was not part of a formal returns scheme, which can see people offered money to leave the country, he was given a “discretionary” payment after he threatened to cause disruption.

The decision was taken by removal teams, not ministers, Government sources said.

They argued the alternative would have led to a slower and more expensive process, which would have included detention, a new flight and potentially legal costs.

The costs of the removal flight are currently unclear.

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