'Send them back' is not sensible..or Christian

Senior cleric calls for fair system for all | Judges to rule on protest hotel closure

- BY DAVE BURKE

A SENIOR churchman said last night that Nigel Farage’s draconian plans to send asylum seekers back to war zones and tyranny is “beneath us as a nation”.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell warned that Britain “cannot close the door to those fleeing war, violence and persecution’.

It comes days after Farage - who has said Christian values make Britain great - pledged to deport asylum seekers to countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea and Sudan.

The archbishop said: “Send them all back’ is not a sensible or compassionate response, and is beneath us as a nation. We need a system that is fair and functional and works well for everyone - including those living near hotels and other asylum accommodation. But this debate also goes to the heart of who we are.