The Liberal Democrats have accused Conservative MPs of “placing anti-immigration ideology ahead of tackling the scourge of modern slavery”, after the Tories voted for new legislation that will weaken safeguards for victims and lead to more of them being held in immigration detention centres.
The Immigration (Guidance on Detention of Vulnerable Persons) Regulations were passed by 358 votes to 270, with all Liberal Democrat MPs voting against.
Following the vote in the House of Commons today, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “Victims of trafficking and modern slavery should never be held in immigration detention. It is unnecessary, expensive and inhumane.
“This legislation will result in more victims of trafficking and modern slavery being locked up in detention centres and detained for longer.
“Yet again, the Tories are placing anti-immigration ideology ahead of tackling the scourge of modern slavery.
“That’s why Liberal Democrats voted against the Tories’ legislation. We are calling for immigration detention to be an absolute last resort, to save both misery and money.”