Family of Murdered Woman Condemns Prime Minister Over Migrant Hotel Safety Failures
The devastated family of a young mother murdered by a Channel boat migrant has directed their anger at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of failing to address illegal migration and protect women from dangerous asylum hotel environments. Rhiannon Whyte, a 27-year-old mother-of-one, was subjected to a brutal and random attack that has exposed critical flaws in the UK's asylum accommodation system.
A Brutal and Unprovoked Attack
Rhiannon Whyte was ambushed and stabbed twenty-three times with a screwdriver by Sudanese national Deng Chol Majek following her shift at the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall, where she worked and where Majek had been housed as an asylum seeker. The attack occurred just three months after Majek arrived in the UK via small boat crossing in July 2024, having previously lied about his age and circumstances to authorities.
Ms Whyte died in hospital three days after being discovered critically injured on Bescot station platform, where she had been followed and attacked by Majek. CCTV evidence presented during the trial showed Majek stalking Ms Whyte from the hotel to the station before launching what the judge described as a vicious and frenzied attack with no apparent motive.
Family's Fury at Political Inaction
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Ms Whyte's sister Emma delivered a powerful condemnation of the Prime Minister's approach to migration and women's safety. Keir Starmer would not listen, he does not give a s*** about us, she stated bluntly. He's the worst thing that ever happened to us.
The family has launched a campaign demanding tougher action on undocumented migrants and the closure of asylum hotels that they believe put both staff and local communities at risk. We don't know what the hell they're doing. Why are we allowing this to continuously happen? asked Ms Whyte's mother Donna during an emotional court statement.
Callous Behaviour After the Murder
Perhaps most shocking to the family was Majek's behaviour immediately following the murder. Security footage showed him purchasing alcohol at an off-licence before returning to the hotel where he was filmed dancing and celebrating with other migrants, seemingly excited by his violent act. This callous display prompted Ms Whyte's mother to confront him directly in court, telling him: Just one more thing - let me see you dancing now.
Ms Whyte's sister Alex, who is now raising her six-year-old son, told Majek during her victim impact statement: You brutalised Rhiannon and then partied as if nothing had happened. You celebrated. You might as well have danced on her grave.
Systemic Failures Exposed
The case has highlighted multiple failures within the asylum system. Majek had no documentation upon arrival and falsely claimed to be 18 years old, despite having previously told German authorities he was eight years older. This necessitated a protracted age assessment process that delayed justice for the family.
Mr Justice Soole eventually sentenced Majek to life imprisonment with a minimum term of twenty-nine years, concluding his real age was between 25 and 28 at the time of the murder. The judge noted that the evidence against you, in particular from CCTV and DNA, was overwhelming, despite Majek's continued denial of guilt.
Political Fallout and Calls for Reform
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described Ms Whyte's murder as the consequence of mass illegal migration and argued that under different policies, Majek could have been deported to Rwanda rather than accommodated in a UK hotel. If Labour had allowed the Rwanda scheme to start as planned, this man could have been rapidly deported instead of being put up in an asylum hotel, Mr Philp stated.
The family believes their concerns about hotel security were dismissed because they were primarily raised by women. Nobody wants to listen to women, Emma Whyte told reporters, suggesting that had their warnings been heeded, additional security measures might have prevented the tragedy.
Ongoing Campaign for Change
Ms Whyte's family continues to campaign for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies. They are calling for improved security for hotel staff, more rigorous vetting of asylum seekers, and faster processing of claims to reduce the time migrants spend in temporary accommodation.
The case has reignited debates about border security, asylum processing, and the safety of communities hosting migrant accommodation centres. As the family mourns their devastating loss, they remain determined to ensure that Rhiannon's death leads to meaningful changes in how the UK handles illegal migration and protects vulnerable workers.
