Starmer faces backlash over 'repugnant' asylum reforms

Labour fury as home secretary unveils hardline measures

- DAVID MADDOX & CAITLIN DOHERTY

Sir Keir Starmer and his home secretary are facing an angry backlash over their plans to toughen up Britain’s asylum system, with Labour MPs describing the new rules as “repugnant” and “performatively cruel”.

Shabana Mahmood yesterday unveiled a string of hardline measures aimed at discouraging asylum seekers and making it easier to remove those who have no right to remain in the country.

The prime minister said the current system was not designed to cope with a “more volatile and insecure” world – but Ms Mahmood’s announcement went much further than many in Labour had feared and is already facing resistance from backbenchers.

The Folkestone and Hythe MP, Tony Vaughan, a former immigration lawyer, said ministers’ rhetoric “encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities”, and warned: “We have taken the wrong turning.”

Mr Vaughan said plans to review refugees’ status every few years would divert “huge amounts of resources away from making our asylum system work”.

Sarah Owen, chair of the women and equalities committee, labelled the policies “repugnant” while Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, said the changes were “performatively cruel”, adding: “It doesn’t have to be like this. There is a better way forward rooted in Labour values that also ensures control at our borders.”