Blunkett attacks media on asylum

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, SEPT 9. With emotions over the asylum issue running high, the Home Secretary, Mr. David Blunkett, has attacked the ``media circus'' saying he is not going to bow to ``newspaper deadlines'' and make a policy on the hoof. He said he was ``nearly ready'' with new ideas on immigration and asylum but should not be expected to ``produce a rabbit out of the hat'' just because the media had hyped up the issue.

``We have reached a point in the media circus where a Minister cannot pause for careful thought without being branded `uncertain' or in the words of one leader writer, `bewildered','' he said reacting angrily to the widespread criticism of the Government's asylum policy which, according to its critics, has made Britain a ``soft touch'' for illegal refugees. Writing in The Observer today, he said he wanted to change the work permit system to take account of ``worldwide economic migration'', and evolve an asylum policy that would take care of genuine refugees while sending out the ``right signals'' to those whose claims were unfounded.

His comments came as Tories stepped up their campaign for a more stringent asylum regime following comments in France that Britain's relaxed rules were an open invitation to illegal immigration. The Tories called for a change in the law to overcome Friday's court judgment, according to which holding asylum seekers in detention centres, pending their applications, was illegal. This has dealt a blow to the Government as it struggles to walk a tightrope over an issue that, apart from creating domestic difficulties, has triggered a row with France. ``I was deeply disturbed by Friday's High Court ruling against the Oakington centre which fast-tracks asylum applications in one of the best-equipped and most humane centres of its kind in the world,'' he said.

However, in an article in a French newspaper Mr. Blunkett admitted that Britain was ``particularly attractive'' to asylum seekers, though he denied that this had anything to do with the Government's policy. The reason for Britain's popularity among refugees was that many spoke English as their second language and had relatives and ``national communities'' already established here. But the shadow home secretary, Ms. Anne Widdecombe, seized on his comments to demand tougher laws to deter refugees. Mr. Blunkett, who is going to Paris on Wednesday for talks with his French counterpart, Mr. Daniel Vaillant, on tightening up immigration controls at the French end of the Channel tunnel - a perpetual source of illegal human trafficking - sought to play down the row with France over the issue. ``It is only by working together - and not having a go at each other - that we will solve the problem ...,'' he said.

Meanwhile, France is reported to be ready to have British police guard the French entrance to the tunnel. An offer is to be made to Mr. Blunkett when he meets Mr. Valliant who, unlike some other French politicians, is believed to be anxious to defuse the tension. There is a move by Britain to ``harmonise'' its asylum rules with those of European countries and Mr. Blunkett said his meeting with Mr. Vaillant would pave the way for ``much closer'' cooperation among EU governments on asylum.

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Section  : International
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