14 March 2023 , 09:46
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An ex-Home Office Adviser has hit out at Suella Braverman's "dangerous" language and branded her immigration policies as "cruel and heartless".
Nimco Ali, who was an independent adviser on tackling violence against women and girls, also suggested the Home Secretary should consider her position.
She said Ms Braverman was the "wrong person not just for the Conservative Party but for the country" in scathing comments.
Last night the Government's Illegal Migration Bill passed the first parliamentary hurdle, with MPs approving the legislation by 312 to 250 - a majority of 62.
But a number of MPs raised concerns over children being forced into detention centres and the removal of support from women seeking safe refuge.
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Ms Ali, a child refugee from Somaliland, said the Bill "means that anyone like me who escapes from war and comes to the UK to claim asylum is a criminal".
Former Home Office adviser Nimco Ali (PA)The former Home Office adviser also called for more safe and asylum routes for asylum seekers similar to the programme introduced for Ukrainians fleeing Russia's brutal invasion.
She added: "As a former refugee of colour, if we can provide generous help to Ukrainians escaping war then I think we need to look at ensuring that we also provide routes to anyone escaping conflicts.
“If we can find room for a white child but not a black child, who are coming here in similar circumstances, it is racist. It is really painful if we believe that people can seek refuge if they come from Europe but not elsewhere," she told The Guardian.
In a blistering intervention in the Commons on Monday the ex-PM Theresa May also raised serious concerns with the legislation.
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday the former PM Theresa May also raised issues with the controversial legislation - before abstaining at the vote.
"Anybody who thinks that this Bill will deal with the issue of illegal migration once and for all is wrong," she insisted.
Ms May also warned modern slavery victims will be "collateral damage", adding: "The Home Office knows this Bill means genuine victims of modern slavery will be denied support".
Conservative former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland also warned the Government "risks looking guilty of ineffective authoritarianism" due to parts of its Illegal Migration Bill.
Explaining why he voted for the Bill despite having reservations about parts of it, Sir Robert told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As I said, in my speech (in the Commons on Monday), I said that the issue relating to particularly women and children needs to be directly addressed.
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Former PM Theresa May raised issues with the Bill on Monday evening (PA)"I do not support the detention of unaccompanied children or indeed the splitting up of families; that was a Government policy that has been followed since 2010.
"And I think that those parts of the Bill should be removed. Voting to allow the principle of a Bill to go forward is different from the detail of the Bill and I would expect it to be scrutinised carefully."
He added: "I've made it very clear that I do not support the detention of children or indeed women in those circumstances and that I think that the Government risks looking as if it is guilty of ineffective authoritarianism, that's something I do not support, and I made it very clear in the House last night."
Last night the United Nations Association - an independent charity - urged MPs and members of the House of Lords to oppose the "inhumane" legislation.
In a statement, the group said the Bill "contravenes the UK's longstanding commitment to the UN Refugee Convention" and undermined its credibility as a leader on human rights.
"The UK must reverse this inhumane course and instead step up and fulfil its share in providing sanctuary for those fleeing war and persecution," it added.
"This proposed legislation is a reckless attempt to combat the policy failures of successive UK Governments while criminalising refugees".
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.