Minister should be on trial for crimes

THE washing up on French shores of a 16-year-old boy unsuccessfully trying to cross the English Channel to the UK should result in the Minister of the Interior for France being put on trial for crimes against humanity.

Because the UK meets its obligations to sanctuary seekers and refugees, and likely because its advice to such persons is written in clear English on its websites, many people are willing to risk their lives to come to this country.

The solution in my view is to introduce an ‘International Integration Assessment’ for sanctuary seekers. If someone was seeking refuge from a Frenchspeaking part of Africa, they would likely be relocated to a French speaking country like Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg or France. If they came from a Muslim background, such as from Iraq or Syria, then they would be more likely to go to Iran or Turkey.

That doesn’t mean the UK should turn its back on non-British people. Short-term student visas lasting up to 11 months are a perfect way for those from outside the UK to experience British culture and improve their English, for instance. The exchange programme Erasmus should become an international within the UN not the EU and passports and immigration should be moved into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to implement such schemes, meaning equally that the Home Office can focus on homeland security.

Cllr Jonathan Bishop Community councillor, Nantgarw