Home Office tweet blaming 'activist lawyers' for delaying migrant deportations sparks fury

The Law Society has condemned the video, describing the reference to "activist lawyers" as misleading and dangerous
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel on August 16
PA
Imogen Braddick27 August 2020

A Home Office tweet which blamed "activist lawyers" for "disrupting" migrant deportation flights has sparked fury among lawyers and politicians.

The video, which also criticises EU laws on migration, was posted on the official Home Office Twitter account amid a row over migrant crossings and came after another deportation flight left the UK on Wednesday, the Government body said.

"We are working to remove migrants with no right to remain in the UK," the video said, alongside a moving graphic of deportation planes leaving the UK.

"But current return regulations are rigid and open to abuse, allowing activist lawyers to delay and disrupt returns.

"Soon we will no longer be bound by EU laws and can negotiate our own return arrangements."

The tweet prompted criticism from lawyers and politicians, who accused the Home Office of spreading "Trump-like propaganda" with the "appalling" video.

The Law Society condemned the video and the reference to immigration lawyers as "activist lawyers".

In a statement, Law Society president Simon Davis said: "Attacks on the integrity of the legal profession undermine the rule of law. Solicitors advise their clients on their rights under the laws created by parliament.

"To describe lawyers who are upholding the law as 'activist lawyers' is misleading and dangerous.

"We should be proud that we live in a country where legal rights cannot be overridden without due process, and we should be proud that we have legal professionals who serve the rule of law."

Nazir Afzal, former north west chief crown prosecutor, said on Twitter: "'Activist lawyers' ensure that humans have rights.

"They ensure OUR laws are followed. This is scandalous."

The author of the award-winning Secret Barrister book said: "Civil servants are now being enlisted to spread Trump-like propaganda denigrating 'activist lawyers' who ensure the Home Secretary follows our democratically enacted laws.

"They lie about the law so they can get away with breaking it. Don’t let them lie to you."

And Jessica Simor QC said the Government was tweeting "full blown lies".

She said on Twitter: "Lying. Our government is now tweeting out full blown lies. A civil servant was presumably made to do this - I hope s/he sought a Ministerial direction and kept records of all communications."

Former MEP Catherine Rowett posted on Twitter: "The UK helped to design and approve the current EU migration laws.

"Sadly the EU did not implement a fair, equitable, or hospitable system for accepting those fleeing from less fortunate places.

"But shame upon the Home Office. The UK should be trying to improve upon the EU laws."

While the Green Party's Sian Berry added: "If you want an example of abuse, try the abuse of human rights that is our whole hostile environment policy."

Other social media users said the video graphics had a "hint of Dad's Army".

One Twitter user said: "Is the animation deliberately like the opening credits for Dad’s Army?"

Another said: "A new level of propaganda with a hint of Dad’s Army. Proud to be an ‘activist lawyer'."

A third wrote: "Difficult to choose the worst bit. The Dad’s Army graphics? The spiteful ‘activist lawyers’ barb? The incorrect insinuation that sea arrivals have no right to asylum? The ridiculous wording of ‘unnecessary’? The gleeful advertising of deportations?"

Meanwhile, Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire, said: "Not only illegal but also incredibly dangerous to cross in a small boat. This has to stop."

The Standard has approached the Home Office for comment.

Priti Patel described the death of a 16-year-old Sudanese migrant a "tragic loss of life" 
PA

More migrants arrived in Dover on Thursday morning. The new arrivals – brought in on Border Force speedboats – were taken ashore in the Kent port.

Today’s arrivals come after several days where the high winds of Storm Francis rendered crossings dangerous and no migrants are known to have made it to the UK in that time.

Meanwhile, dozens of pro-migrant demonstrators rallied outside the Home Office earlier this week.

The demonstration, organised by campaign group Stand Up To Racism, demanded that the right of safe passage be given to "desperate" migrants making the crossing between England and France.

Their calls came after a Sudanese migrant was found dead on a beach near Calais after his makeshift vessel capsized. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the death was "an upsetting and tragic loss of a young life".

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