Javid: Channel dinghy migrants ‘not genuine’

Fury as he rubbishes asylum claim

SAJID Javid has been slammed for suggesting migrants using small boats for risky Channel crossings are not genuine asylum seekers.

Speaking during a visit to Dover, the Home Secretary questioned why they had not claimed asylum in the first safe country they reached.

He also suggested those picked up by UK authorities, mostly having set off from France, face having asylum requests refused as a deterrent to others.

Mr Javid said: “A question has to be asked. If you are a genuine asylum seeker, why have you not sought asylum in the first safe country you arrived in?

“France is not a country anyone would argue it is not safe and if you are genuine, why not seek asylum in your first safe country?” But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “We have a duty to reach out the hand of humanity.”

And Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey said: “The Home Secretary’s CRISIS Rescue &, right, Javid comments about refugees crossing the Channel show that the Tories’ nasty, hostile environment is alive and well. “Many of these people fled war in Syria or persecution in Iran. To suggest they are not ‘genuine’ asylum seekers is unacceptable.” Refugee Council director of advocacy Lisa Doyle also branded Mr Javid’s comments “deeply concerning”. She said: “The outcome of an asylum application cannot be pre-judged, irrespective of how that person reached the country.”

Mr Javid said two more Border Force cutters will go on patrol after scores risked the crossing over Christmas.

The Home Secretary, who abandoned a holiday amid mounting criticism of the Government’s response to the crisis, said 539 crossed the Strait of Dover in 2018 – 80% in the last three months.

Mr Javid said: “People should not be taking this dangerous journey and if they do we also need to send a very strong message that you won’t succeed.”

But Refugee Action’s Paul Hook said: “These are people first and foremost and they deserve a humanitarian response.”