Asylum lawyers threatened with acid attacks and pet killings by far-right thugs

09 October 2023 , 16:13

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Lawyers representing asylum seekers have faced horrendous threats (file image) (Image: Getty Images)

A lawyer who has assisted refugees with asylum claims today warned someone will be killed if politicians fail to dial down hate speech.

James Elliott told a panel at the Labour Party Conference his staff had been threatened with acid attacks, their pets being poisoned and violence on their commute. He said: "I've heard a lot of very positive stuff from the Labour Party that needs to continue, otherwise people will be killed."

He read out a chilling letter received by his firm threatening to target wokers and describing asylum seekers as "invaders" - a similar term used by Home Secretary Suella Braverman last year. The sickening letter said: "Please be aware that we have the names, addresses and car registrations of the collaborators you employ who seek to assist the illegal scum who invade our country. We are actively going to deal with the legal do-gooders like you.

"To the females who work with you, ask (acid attack victim) Katie Piper how she feels - you're in for the same facial treatment. Be careful commuting on the Circle or Piccadilly Lines, people fall on the tracks. Your pets will be poisoned, your tyres slashed, and can you sleep at night?"

The hate-filled diatribe went on to make grotesque remarks about asylum seekers. Sitting alongside him, Labour Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said that compassion needs to be central to the party's approach. He hit out at continual attacks on "lefty lawyers", saying: "It's disgraceful that the Government tries to set the people against the legal profession." He also accused Tory ministers of "performative cruelty" as they try to get to grips with the broken asylum system.

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He told a fringe event: "We need to get away from this Government's approach of performative cruelty and gimmicks as we can once again have an asylum system that the country can be proud of."

Hitting out at hardline Government measures - such as the Rwanda scheme and the Illegal Migration Act - Mr Kinnock said: "I can't help feeling that some of their efforts are deliberately fanning the flames rather than rolling up their sleeves and the work they should be doing."

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Dave Burke