UK Immigration minister ‘unmerciful’
Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, has accused the Immigration minister of resorting to making populist comments, in Phil Woolas’ condemnation of the profession of UK Immigration Lawyers. The Archbishop has labeled the minister as “Unmerciful”.
Mr Woolas claimed that the Immigration system was being significantly manipulated by NGOs and by Immigration lawyers. He claimed that Immigration lawyers were giving clients false hope, resulting in more harm than good.
Dr Sentamu highlighted that the ministers comments simply undermine the law, rather than reinforce the confidence the public hold in the UK’s Immigration system. The Immigration minister’s comments have been criticised widely, leading to his appearance from the BBC’s Question Time programme being cancelled at the last minute.
Ms Slocock, CEO of the Refugee Legal Service, in her criticism of the Immigration ministers’s comments, notes that 50% of its cases are won on appeal against the UK Border Agency’s initial decisions. With the UK Border Agency making so many incorrect decisions, it is questionable who is causing more harm than good.
