Hundreds take part in protest outside Parliament against Illegal Migration Bill

13 March 2023 , 21:55

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Demonstrators protesting against the Illegal Migration Bill in Parliament Square (Image: PA)

Hundreds of people have gathered in Parliament Square chanting "stop the bill" as MPs debate the 'cruel' Illegal Migration Bill.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman unveiled draconian plans to end Channel crossings after years of Tory failure which saw an estimated 45,000 people make the perilous journey last year.

Ms Braverman said those who enter the UK via illegal routes will be detained without bail or judicial review before being deported - and blocked from returning.

She said that the Government would announce safe and legal routes for people fleeing persecution - but only AFTER the crossings stop.

It has been widely condemned, with the UN branding it a clear breach of the Refugee Convention and saying it will prevent people fleeing war and persecution from being granted safe haven in the UK.

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The Bill has been widely condemned (PA)

David Locket, who held a sign in Parliament Square that read "Gary Lineker for PM," said: "I'm appalled that the only people that seem to speak up for refugees are retired footballers.

"The idea that desperate people in little dinghies are some sort of invasion of this country actually makes me feel sick."

He added: "The language they're using actually is the language of the 1930s, and it makes it impossible to actually seek asylum in this country."

It comes after Match of the Day host Lineker was pulled from the BBC show on Saturday after the former England striker criticised the bill and questioned the Tories' use of language towards refugees.

Jeremy Corbyn, also at the demonstration, called the Government's migration policy "a disgraceful piece of legislation".

The former Labour leader, who now sits as an independent MP, spoke at the protest, saying he believed the Illegal Migration Bill would lead to the UK's removal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The UN branded the Bill a clear breach of the Refugee Convention (PA)

He said: "I just heard the Home Secretary say they were going to shut down the people traffickers.

"The people traffickers exist because this policy creates a market for them and creates an opportunity for them to exploit people," he said.

Mr Corbyn added that the Bill contained "vile language" used to "dehumanise desperate groups of people".

The language in the Bill has been compared to that of Nazi Germany (PA)

Zoe Gardner, who helped to organise the protest, said new migration policy "proposes to completely tear up the right to asylum".

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She said: "We have to do everything we can to raise our voice against this horrible Bill ... refugees deserve protection, the UK should be doing their part."

She said the Government's attitude to migration is "hostile, useless and divisive".

The Government says it will announce safe and legal routes for people fleeing persecution but only AFTER the crossings stop (PA)

When asked what she would say to Rishi Sunak, she responded: "You know in your conscience that what you're doing is wrong."

However, she added: "I don't think Rishi Sunak would listen, I think this Tory Government is way beyond listening to any of us, the best thing we could do is get them out, get the Bill out, we need a Government that cares about people."

Ryan Merrifield