Starmer faces Labour revolt over hardline asylum plans

Mahmood's proposals 'straight out of far-right playbook', say critics

- Jessica Elgot and Rajeev Syal

Keir Starmer is facing another major challenge to his authority after angry MPs vowed to force changes to new hardline migration measures that would lead to an escalation in the deportations of children and families.

The policies, which include the possibility of confiscating assets from refugees to contribute to asylum costs, have caused significant divisions in the party with some MPs accusing their colleagues of not taking seriously public anger about illegal migration and asylum.

The Conservatives have said they could support the government to pass the tough laws in the event of a major Labour rebellion.

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has outlined radical measures, including how the government will try to change the way the European convention on human rights (ECHR) is interpreted by UK judges in an attempt to stop asylum seekers using their rights to a family life to avoid deportation.

Policies include consulting on enforcing the removal of families including children who have been refused the right to settle in the UK and have refused payments encouraging them to leave.

Among the 20 or so Labour politicians expressing concern about the policies publicly are the Folkestone and Hythe MP and former human rights barrister Tony Vaughan, the select committee chair Sarah Owen and three new MPs - Simon Opher, Abtisam Mohamed and Neil Duncan-Jordan.

The chair of the housing and communities select committee, Florence Eshalomi, asked Mahmood in the Commons whether she was certain that there would not be "unintended consequences" from the policies.