Priti Patel is under pressure to apologize after she was accused of misleading parliament over a central allegation related to her deeply controversial proposals to change the immigration law.
The Home Secretary told lawmakers that the widely criticized bill on nationality and borders would create new safe and legal routes to the UK for asylum seekers, suggesting the new routes will ensure people no longer need to risk their lives trying to reach the United Kingdom.
During a parliamentary debate last November – a day after 27 people drowned in the English Channel while trying to cross from France – Patel assured lawmakers that the bill “creates safe and legal routes”.
However, the interior ministry has already acknowledged that the proposed legislation, which is due to be returned to the House of Commons this week, does not actually contain a provision to ensure safe routes backed by the government for asylum seekers.
A April 5 letter from Home Secretary Tom Parsglow to the charity MSF UK directly contradicted Patel, saying safe and legal routes “are not part of the bill”.
Priti Patel signed a migration agreement with Rwanda this week. Photo: Eugene Uvimana / EPA
Sophie McCann, an advocacy officer at MSF UK, said the controversy was indicative of the way the government and interior minister tried to sell the deeply divisive proposals for asylum reform: “This is just the latest case of this government or deeply misleading or secretive about the provisions and impact of the bill. “
She added: “Once again, we see the government’s slippery connection with the truth when it comes to acknowledging the damage that will be done to vulnerable people seeking safety in the UK.
Failure to provide safe and legal routes to the UK has led to large numbers of asylum seekers risking their lives crossing the English Channel in small boats, a scenario that led to last November’s tragedy in which pregnant women and three children were among those killed. .
So far this year, more than 5,000 people have made the dangerous journey across the English Channel in small boats, three times more than last year.
However, the Interior Ministry tried to give the impression that the proposed legislation offered safe routes: an “information sheet” published last December was entitled “Law on Nationality and Borders: Safe and Legal Routes”.
Although the government has provided some legal means of asylum, such as the resettlement scheme for Afghan citizens, experts say they are inadequate. They say, for example, that this will not protect an Afghan asylum seeker who has reached the United Kingdom in a small boat.
McCann said: “There are almost no safe ways for someone fleeing war, persecution or poverty to travel to the UK. Instead of helping those most in need, the bill on nationality and borders will increase the risk of people dying trying to get here.
However, the bill itself is in trouble after being torn apart for the second time by the House of Lords, which recently inflicted 10 defeats on the government over its immigration proposals.
A man and his child go ashore in Dover. MSF says there are no safe ways for refugees to travel to the UK. Photo: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Until the municipalities and lords agree on the final wording of the bill, it cannot enter into law; the bill will be returned to the Municipalities this week.
But as the current parliamentary session is expected to end in weeks, ministers may be forced to make concessions if they want to ease the bill amid growing legislative difficulties.
McCann said: “Even at this late stage, we call on the Interior Ministry to reconsider: they must reject the inhumane policies in the border bill and commit to providing safe and legal routes for all people fleeing war and persecution.
Make no mistake, this government knows very well what the impact of this policy will be – it is consciously and voluntarily subjecting refugees to terrible suffering. ” The Home Office has already acknowledged that Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country who arrive illegally in the UK will run the risk of going to jail under the terms of the bill.
Asked to explain Patel’s claim that safe and legal routes were included in the bill, the interior ministry said his “new immigration plan” would strengthen existing refugee routes, “so they don’t have to risk their lives. in the hands of human smugglers. “
A spokesman added: “The interior secretary had this in mind and it is wrong to assume that she has deceived parliament. We will continue to provide shelter to those in need fleeing persecution through our global resettlement scheme in the United Kingdom.
“We will also allow more refugees to enter the UK through community sponsorship.
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