Suella Braverman slams 'levels of criminality' among Channel arrivals
Tories warn Channel migrants law still might not be tough enough as Suella Braverman slams ‘high levels of criminality’ among arrivals – with fears Sudan chaos will spark new wave of boats
Tories have warned the Channel migrants crackdown still might not be tough enough as MPs prepare for crunch votes tonight.
The Illegal Migration Bill is set for its final stages in the House of Commons later, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman insisting it can help ‘bring an end to the boat crossings’.
Despite criticism of the measures from some centrist Conservatives and human rights groups, Ms Braverman used a round of interviews to say illegal arrivals ‘possess values which are at odds with our country’ with ‘heightened levels of criminality’. Ministers have also raised concerns that the chaos in Sudan could fuel numbers.
The legislation – which would effectively ban Channel migrants from claiming asylum and speed up deportations – is set to complete its passage through the Commons this evening.
The government has already bowed to a revolt from the Tory right – who wanted more protections against meddling by Strasbourg judges.
However, the restive One Nation caucus has also been demanding commitments on safe legal routes and allowances for children – with the potential for rebellions this evening.
The third reading vote this evening will only be the start of the battle over the Bill, as peers are preparing an all-out bid to block it.
The Illegal Migration Bill is set for its final stages in the House of Commons later, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) insisting it can help ‘bring an end to the boat crossings’
Suspected migrants are brought ashore in Dover earlier this week
Defending the plans, Ms Braverman told LBC: ‘I think that uncontrolled and unprecedented levels of illegal migration are totally unacceptable to our country and to our values.’
Asked whether she agreed with immigration minister Robert Jenrick’s view that uncontrolled inflows ‘threaten to cannibalise the compassion of the British public’, the Home Secretary said: ‘I think that the people coming here illegally do possess values which are at odds with our country.
‘We are seeing heightened levels of criminality when related to the people who’ve come on boats related to drug dealing, exploitation, prostitution.
‘There are real challenges which go beyond the migration issue of people coming here illegally. We need to ensure that we bring an end to the boat crossings.’
One senior Tory told MailOnline that the party’s electoral fortunes hang on tackling the Channel crossings.
‘We’ve got a lot of failures on our watch and number one is ”stop the boats”. Is this going to stop the boats?’ they said.
‘I feel a bit more comforted… but I think the proof will be in the pudding, once everyone puts this stuff to the various courts.
‘If we can reduce some of the pull factors that will help. It’s about deterrence, to stop people coming here in the first place.’
A file photo of small boats used by Channel arrivals stacked up in Kent
The numbers of Channel boat arrivals have risen sharply in recent years
MPs debating the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill on Wednesday have been urged to ‘bear in mind’ the UK’s human rights commitments.
Marcial Boo, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme he was ‘concerned’ that the Bill is in breach of international obligations.
He said: ‘We are concerned that the Bill would risk breaching international obligations.
‘What we are advising MPs in passing the legislation is just that they bear in mind our international human rights obligations and that they consider those matters when debating the legislation today.
‘What we have said to MPs is that we are concerned that there are risks, particularly to victims of trafficking and children, and we want to make sure that human rights are applied universally because they are for everyone.’
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