A couple have been refused the right to know if their son's killer has been allowed to stay in the UK, it emerged today.
The Home Office has told Wintworth and Lurline Deslandes they cannot be given the information about Saturday Hassan, who was given three life sentences last year for murdering their son Darren, 34, in order to protect the gunman's privacy.
They believe Hassan, 31, formerly of Sydenham, south London, to be a foreign national but have been told he must agree to details of his immigration status being handed over to their MP because he is currently guarded under the Data Protection Act.
On Monday, Malcolm Wicks, MP for Croydon North, raised the matter in the House of Commons, describing the situation as "total nonsense".
He said his efforts to find out Hassan's nationality had failed, adding: "The minister replied that he could not tell me and that the only way I could find out was to seek the permission of the murderer - no doubt because of human rights.
"Is not the minister's reply, and this situation generally, total nonsense?"
Immigration Minister Damian Green said he "rather agreed", adding: "The amount of data protection that ministers are required to observe may well seem absurd, and I can reassure him that I found it absurd as well."
Hassan also shot Mr Deslandes' brother Junior, 27, in the attack at a New Year's party at the family's pub in Croydon, south London, but he survived despite having three bullets in his head.
Hassan's trial at the Old Bailey in November last year heard he carried out the "10 seconds of devastation" after being thrown out of the Newton Arms.
He was jailed for a minimum of 37 years after being found guilty of murder, attempted murder and a firearms charge in relation to the shootings on January 1 last year, which took place in front of the men's mother, father and younger brother.
The court was told builder Hassan had been a man of good character but was attracted by the gangster lifestyle, driving a BMW 4x4 car and having a gun.
Mrs Deslandes, 57, told the Daily Mail she wanted Hassan to be removed from the country.
She said: "I do not see why he should have any data protection.
"He has killed someone. We are the victims and no one is there to protect us."
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Our immigration rules clearly state that a foreign national receiving a prison sentence of more than 12 months will automatically be considered for deportation."