Responding to the publication of the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill today, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “This Anti-Refugee Bill is a truly nasty piece of legislation from a Conservative Government that is ripping up the UK’s proud tradition of providing sanctuary to refugees.
“We need to fix our asylum system, combat the criminal gangs who profit from trafficking and smuggling, and stop people from making dangerous attempts to cross the Channel.
“Priti Patel’s proposals will do nothing to help. In fact, the Anti-Refugee Bill will make those problems worse. It will add even more delay, increasing the Home Office’s already huge backlog. And it will play into the hands of human traffickers, by making it harder for their victims to come forward and get the support they need.
“Instead of pressing ahead with her cruel and counterproductive legislation, Priti Patel should focus on providing safe and legal routes for refugees to come to the UK. That’s the best way to tackle these criminal gangs, stop dangerous boat crossings, and uphold our obligation to protect the world’s most vulnerable people.”