The Herald

Campaigner slams Home Office and says it can’t act ‘like the Mafia’

- By Martha Vaughan

A CAMPAIGNER who took part in a mass protest against the detention of two men in Glasgow has said its success sends a message that the Home Office “shouldn’t act like the Mafia”.

Police Scotland released two Indian nationals detained by Border Force officials in Kenmure Street, Pollokshie­lds, after people surrounded the van they were being held in and prevented it from leaving on Thursday.

Demonstrat­ors blocked the immigratio­n enforcemen­t van for several hours, with one person even lying underneath the vehicle.

Mohammad Asif said: “People are fed up with a climate of fear... It was the people’s revolution, led by the people – ordinary people of Glasgow in Pollokshie­lds.”

Mr Asif, 54, director of the

Afghan Human Rights Foundation, joined the protest from 10am until the men’s release shortly after 5pm.

Asked what message the protest’s success sends, Mr Asif said: “The Home Office shouldn’t act like the Mafia, they should have a more humane way of removing people.

“We don’t say every person should come to the UK and live here, but we’ve been watching these dawn raids – myself, for the past 20 years.

“The Home Office does it in a very brutal way... it’s like you’ve committed murder or rape. There are different ways to remove people without taking them from their bed.”

It is understood neither of the men who were in the van is Muslim, but the Border Force action was widely criticised for taking place on Eid al-fitr.

A Home Office spokeswoma­n said on Thursday: “The operation in Glasgow was conducted in relation to suspected immigratio­n offences and the two Indian nationals complied with officers at all times.

“The UK Government continues to tackle illegal migration in all its forms and our New Plan For Immigratio­n will speed up the removal of those who have entered the UK illegally.”

It comes as a senior trade unionist has been suspended by Labour after suggesting Home Secretary Priti Patel was “disgusting” and should be deported.

Unite’s assistant general secretary Howard Beckett – who is standing for the leadership of the major union – apologised for the social media message.

Mr Beckett sits on Labour’s ruling national executive committee but it is understood he has now been suspended by the party.

Mr Beckett originally said:

“Priti Patel should be deported, not refugees. She can go along with anyone else who supports institutio­nal racism. She is disgusting.”

He subsequent­ly deleted the message and later tweeted: “Priti Patel message on Eid al Fitr is to deport Muslim refugees. Those who have been forced to flee war zones.

“We are seeing appalling institutio­nal racism again and again from the supposed pillars of the British elite.

“Our society should have no place for racism, at all. I’m very sorry for my earlier tweet. I was angry to see Muslim Refugees being deported on the morning of Eid al Fitr.”

He said his earlier message was “never intended to be literal” and “the wording was wrong” and “offensive”.

He added: “I apologise unreserved­ly to Priti Patel. No one should be deported.”

Labour MP Chris Bryant said of Mr Beckett’s original comment: “This is vile. This should play no part in Labour – or in British politics.”

A Labour spokesman said the party “takes these allegation­s extremely seriously” and promised appropriat­e action.

Tory MP Steve Baker said it was “an extraordin­ary, absolutely intolerabl­e remark” that must have a “robust response” from Labour.

However, Mr Beckett told Sky News his suspension was “completely inappropri­ate” and insisted he would not pull out of the race to lead Unite.

He said he had not received any notice of his suspension from Labour, but had found out about the move on social media.

While suspended from the party Mr Beckett is not allowed to take up his place on Labour’s ruling body.

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