• UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
NewsExplored
  • UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • LinkedIn

  • Tumblr

  • RSS

Politics

MP’s migrant crossings Army call criticised

MP’s migrant crossings Army call criticised
Newsexplored
19th August 2020
ShareTweet
SubscribeRedditGoogleWhatsappStumbleuponPinterestDiggLinkedinTumblrTelegram
Views:
3
Migrants off Dover - 7/8/20
Image caption A boat with about 17 people on board was spotted off the coast of Dover by the BBC

A Welsh Conservative MP has been criticised by immigration law specialists following comments she made on social media about migrants crossing the English Channel.

Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton said the Army should be deployed to end the “unacceptable” boat crossings.

However her statement has been described as “misleading” and displaying “staggering” ignorance.

Ms Atherton said she respected others who did not share her opinion.

The number of people seeking to enter the UK by crossing the Channel has recently increased, reigniting a debate over how to address the situation.

There was a new record of at least 235 arrivals on 6 August, according to Home Office figures.

In her Twitter post, Ms Atherton wrote: “What we are seeing on a huge scale with the boats crossing the Channel is precisely that, flagrant violations of our immigration law by economic migrants and human-trafficking gangs.”

Image copyright LDRS
Image caption Ms Atherton’s comments were described as “heartless” and “ignorant” by some on twitter

Ms Atherton, who was elected to parliament for the first time last December, said: “UK Border Forces should receive whatever assistance is required from HM Armed Forces in this endeavour.

“It is time for tough words to be matched with tough actions so that fairness may be restored to our immigration system, and the constituents of Wrexham may feel secure in the knowledge that this a government which finally takes concerns about immigration seriously.”

Ms Atherton also claimed the situation was more difficult to deal with due to a “legal framework owing to our previous membership of the EU”.

“This framework places undue power in the hands of unaccountable human rights lawyers who do not have our country’s best interests at heart,” she said.

data-ad-format="auto">
  • How will the UK points-based immigration system work?
  • Why are migrants crossing the English Channel?

In response, Dan Sohege, director of the human rights advocacy group Stand for All, accused Ms Atherton of “playing politics with peoples’ lives” and displaying a “staggering level of ignorance”.

“Not only is her letter full of inaccuracies, but her very suggestions would lead the UK to violate the fundamental principles of human rights law and open the UK up to international legal action at a time when it is trying to demonstrate that it can be part of the wider international community without being an EU member state.”

Colin Yeo, a barrister specialising in immigration law, said there needed to be “some serious thought into how to prevent people risking their lives in this way”.

“Misleading contributions like this which are simply wrong in legal terms are counterproductive,” he added.


A community football team in Wrexham, Bellevue FC, also criticised the comments.

The club – which aims to bring migrants, refugees and asylum seekers together – said Ms Atherton’s views “did not speak” for Wrexham.

What has Sarah Atherton said?

Responding to the criticism, Ms Atherton told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I appreciate this is an emotive issues and not all of us will share the same opinion, which is respected.

“As a constituency MP I frequently assist people in Wrexham seeking asylum.

“However what we are seeing in the Channel is little more than exploitation of vulnerable people by human traffickers and gang leaders.

“Nine months ago, the people of Wrexham voted decisively in favour of the Conservative immigration policy and putting an end to the UK open-door system.

“What is now being introduced is a sensible Australian-style points-based immigration system, ensuring people who are legitimate asylum seekers, fleeing persecution, can come here safely to live and work.

“What we are seeing is an abuse of the system, which is blocking the way for those in genuine need of asylum.

She added that the UK “will support those who are in genuine need”.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Itemscriticisedcrossingsmigrant
Politics
19th August 2020
Newsexplored @newsexploredweb

Related Itemscriticisedcrossingsmigrant

More in Politics

  • Read More
    Climate change: Six questions about the Cumbria coal controversy

    Views:3 By Roger HarrabinBBC environment analyst image copyrightWest Cumbria Mining Company image captionThe mine would extract coking...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Could indyref2 be held without the UK’s consent?

    Views:3 By Philip SimBBC Scotland political reporter image copyrightGetty Images image captionThe case has been brought by...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Covid-19: NI lockdown to be extended until 5 March

    Views:3 image copyrightPacemaker Coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland will be extended until 5 March, the first...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Covid: What is universal credit – and what other benefits are available?

    Views:3 image copyrightGetty Images Labour and some Conservative MPs are calling on the government to keep a...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: Five surprising consequences

    Views:3 By Reality Check teamBBC News image copyrightGetty Images While the UK government had been warning of...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Covid-19: Northern Ireland’s R-rate ‘falls significantly’

    Views:3 image copyrightPA Media image captionMichelle O’Neill and Arlene Foster appeared at their first joint press conference...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: ‘Problems’ in first week of post-deal GB-NI trade

    Views:3 By Conor MacauleyBBC NI Agriculture & Environment Correspondent image copyrightReuters image captionThe first lorries to cross...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Covid-19: Stormont to give clarity on restrictions and exams

    Views:3 image copyrightReuters Ministers are to explain their decision to tighten Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland at...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: Boris Johnson’s claims about its benefits fact-checked

    Views:3 By Reality Check teamBBC News Published 1 hour ago Related Topics image copyrightReuters Boris Johnson was...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: How European leaders reacted to EU-UK trade deal

    Views:3 media captionEuropean Commission announces ‘fair’ post-Brexit trade deal A post-Brexit trade deal has been agreed between...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: Five steps that led to an Irish Sea border

    Views:3 By John CampbellBBC News NI Economics & Business Editor image captionBorder control posts have been set...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
  • Read More
    Brexit: Will the borders be ready?

    Views:3 By Chris MorrisReality Check correspondent, BBC News image copyrightReuters With only days left until the end...

    Newsexplored 19th August 2020
Scroll for more
Tap
data-ad-format="auto">
NewsExplored

NewsExplored - Making sure all the latest news is explored?

Contact us for help

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • Australian Open: Heather Watson among 47 players to quarantine in Melbourne after Covid cases on flights
    Sports16th January 2021
  • The Papers: ‘Fortress Britain’ and ‘modern miracle workers’
    UK15th January 2021
  • Fashion lookahead: Eight major 2021 looks from tie-dye to pastels
    Entertainment30th December 2020
  • Fifa 21 and Frozen 2 top digital sales of 2020
    Tech8th January 2021
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26 Green Bay Packers; Buffalo Bills 24-38 Kansas City Chiefs
    USA25th January 2021
  • The homeless drug addict who became a history professor
    USA24th January 2021
  • Kamala Harris: What the vice-president did on her first day
    USA21st January 2021
  • Biden inauguration: New president to be sworn in amid Trump snub
    USA20th January 2021
  • Les Rehrer says:

    Hello Its me :P and thanks for this post

  • optumrx login says:

    Thank For News.

  • Kent Laatsch says:

    Please let me know if you're looking for a writer…

  • Bob says:

    RT News was where I learned that Erdogan controlled isis.…

Copyright © 2018 Top News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by Wordpress.

House of Lords: Temporary move to York rejected by repairs body
Steve Rotheram slams ‘incomprehensible’ BTec results delay
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok