London
Home Secretary Priti Patel says Britain would continue to ‘provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny.’
Britain’s interior minister vows to stop people entering the country clandestinely
Britain’s interior minister vowed on Sunday to stop people entering the country clandestinely and to fix what she called a ‘broken’ asylum system, echoing commitments that have been made and broken by UK governments for years.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the government would bring in new laws so it could ‘stop those who come here illegally making endless legal claims to remain’ and ‘expedite the removal of those who have no claim for protection.’ Patel said in a speech to a virtual Conservative Party conference that the changes would be ‘the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades.’
She said Britain would continue to ‘provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny.’
Patel’s hardline rhetoric was designed to appeal to voters concerned at a surge in the number of people crossing the English Channel from France in small boats.
Thousands have made the journey this year, most over the summer. Opposition Labour Party immigration spokesman Nick Thomas-Symonds said the Conservatives were ‘devoid of compassion and competence’ on immigration.
Migrants have long used northern France as a launching point to reach Britain by stowing away in trucks or on ferries. —AFP
