Illegal to deport rough sleepers

DEPORtInG EU citizens who sleep rough on UK streets is illegal – even if they are criminals or drug addicts, a judge has ruled.

In a major blow to Home secretary amber Rudd, the High Court said the policy was discriminatory and broke controversial freedom of movement rules.

two Polish men and a latvian successfully challenged the rules after they were threatened with removal from Britain when they were found sleeping rough by police and immigration officers.

the judgment means hundreds of people who arrive in Britain from the EU and sleep rough will be allowed to stay irrespective of whether they are thieves, beggars or have drug or alcohol problems.

the Home Office said it was ‘disappointed’ but will not appeal.

Critics condemned the judgment and said it was more evidence of the urgency with which Britain needed to quit the EU to regain control of its borders. tory MP Philip Davies, a leading Brexiteer, described the ruling as bizarre: ‘We were always told by EU fanatics we had free movement of labour, not free movement of down and outs.’

the Home Office began targeting rough sleepers – mainly from Eastern Europe – in 2016, accusing them of ‘misusing’ their free movement rights. But it was challenged by the Public Interest law Unit at lambeth law Centre, which sought a judicial review on behalf of the three men.

In her ruling on the cases Mrs Justice lang ruled that being homeless was not itself a ground for deporting the men. the High Court said the Government must abandon the policy, which equated rough sleeping as ‘an abuse’ of the right of freedom of movement.

a Home Office spokesman said it would ‘consider carefully what steps are necessary to ensure we reflect the judgment in future enforcement’.