TORY Robert Buckland has defended Rishi Sunak’s immigration plans saying they represent a more “humane way” of dealing with the crisis.
In an interview on GB News, Mr Buckland, who is backing the former Chancellor to become Prime Minister, said: “Let’s not forget that before a person is deemed a refugee there is a due process of law. They are an asylum seeker first and then a determination is made about their status.
“I think it’s really important that he (Rishi) focuses upon the fundamental definition which is in a convention that we signed up to 70 years ago. And I think it’s important as well as he does that we focus on enforcement of the rules.
“I think our country is hospitable, generous and warm-hearted when it comes to refugees, as we’ve seen with Ukraine and other countries. But many people tell me that they want the rules enforced, if people have exhausted their applications and no longer should be here, then action needs to be taken in order to deport them.
“But I think the idea that Rishi is coming up with I think forms the basis of a sensible package incentivising other countries to take back people who’ve come here unlawfully.
He added: “He’s proposing a parliamentary vote every year on the number of refugees to be accepted in the UK with of course an exception for emergencies, such as the one we saw with Ukraine that actually gives Parliament a big say in the process. We’ve had lots of debates about what is a reasonable number with ALF Dubs and others putting amendments to parliamentary bills, why not actually make that a formality and make that a part of the process within Parliament whereby we have this proper debate about what a reasonable number should look like.
“I think the important point is that involving parliament in this decision-making makes it a much more accountable process. And also there will be exceptions, of course for emergencies, such as the one we’ve seen this year. I don’t think this gets away from the compassionate nature of our country. In fact, the details of Rishi’s plans about getting people out of hotels and providing more beds actually provide a much better and clearer framework for refugees and asylum seekers. It is, I think, a humane, compassionate and sensible approach to an issue that does cause concern due to the exploitation of innocent people by criminal gangs.”
