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A Church of England bishop has warned that the British government is taking an “immoral approach” to asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Gry Francis Decani, the bishop of Chelmsford sitting in the House of Lords, accused ministers of using “targeting the victims” rhetoric that deserved protection from “war and persecution.”
The intervention, following a similar warning from the Bishop of Durham last month, is the latest sign that the bishops will lead a rebellion in the lords over the illegal immigration bill passed through the Commons last week.
Opposition parties see the prelate as a “moral brake” against a controversial law banning illegal immigrants from applying for asylum in the UK.
In a statement provided to Isaid the bishop:
“Of course, we have to stop dangerous small boat crossings and criminal gangs taking advantage of refugees and their plight, but the way to achieve this is to work with other countries to ensure fair allocation. It’s about agreeing and opening up safe routes.
“Instead, some of the illegal immigration bills and recently used rhetoric target victims, including those fleeing war and persecution, victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Not only is it an immoral approach that departs from Britain’s proud history of welcoming those in need of sanctuary, it also fails to address the issue.”
In response, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said: Since 2015, we have provided nearly 500,000 men, women, children and refugee families seeking safety with a safe and legal route to the UK.
“But we cannot allow a system that encourages people to risk their lives and smugglers to come illegally. , to end illegal immigration as a route to asylum in the UK, destroy the business model of those who smuggle gangs and restore equity to our asylum system.”
The government averted a major House rebellion by giving concessions to both the right and left wing of the Conservative Party. This includes committing to setting up a “safe and legal route” for asylum seekers to apply to settle in the UK without entering illegally.
But some Tory rebels, including Theresa May, want the Senate to amend the law, including restoring protections to immigrants who claim they are victims of modern-day slavery. I’m in