- Last-Minute Reprieve for Asylum Seekers from Boarding Accommodation Vessel
- Tory Deputy Chairman Refuses to Apologize for Controversial Remarks
- Government Acknowledges Failure to Combat Illegal Immigration, Cites Challenges
Monday, approximately twenty asylum seekers were granted a last-minute reprieve from boarding the Bibby Stockholm accommodation vessel, prompting the Tory deputy chairman to remark.
Lee Anderson has refused to apologise for saying asylum seekers who oppose to barges should “f*** off back to France.”
The Conservative Party vice chairman said there was “no doubt” the administration had failed to tackle illegal immigration.
The Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, Conservative Member of Parliament remarked asylum claimants after learning that twenty of them were granted a last-minute reprieve from boarding the Bibby Stockholm on Monday.
The charity Care4Calais said legal issues “cancelled” their transit from hotels to the barge off Dorset.
Nigel Farage urged Mr. Anderson to apologise for his statements on GB News on Tuesday night. Mr. Anderson responded, “No.”
When the former Brexit campaigner questioned whether Mr. Anderson’s use of the “f-word” was in poor taste, Mr. Anderson responded, “No… it’s out of exasperation.
“It is the result of my being enraged. Not only am I furious, but so are my constituents and millions of individuals across the country.”
And when asked if the Conservative government had failed to effectively combat illegal immigration, Mr. Anderson responded, “Without a doubt, we have failed in this regard.
“We promised to repair it, but we have failed. But we do have policies in place – I know it’s a bit difficult for the British public to comprehend what we’re trying to accomplish with the Rwanda flights and the Illegal Migration Bill”.
We have leftist attorneys, human rights activists, charities, and everything against us, so it seems slow and tedious.
“I’m not making excuses, but this is delaying our progress. If we had the support of the entire legislature, this would have passed by now.”
Mr. Anderson added that he feels “sick” whenever a boat carrying migrants traverses the English Channel and that he is “furious” when asylum seekers are housed in hotels and barges.
He stated, “I’ve been to Calais, and I’ve seen migrants living in utter squalor in one-person tents.
When they arrive, we try our best and bend over backward to accommodate them, giving them an option.
The government expects asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge and disused military facilities to lower hotel costs.
Sarah Dines, minister of the Home Office, stated that those entering the country illegally should have “basic but adequate accommodations” and that they “cannot expect to stay in a four-star hotel.”
She asserted that hotels were a “pull” factor in attracting people to the United Kingdom.
Mr. Anderson stated that “workers” in the oil industry who are “serving this great nation” reside on barges and “never complain.”
He continued, “It makes me ill to my stomach when these left-wing lawyers, charities, and human rights activists say it’s insufficient.
If it is insufficient, [the asylum applicants] should return to France.
What were Anderson’s opening comments?
The Tory deputy chairman caused controversy when he told Express.co.uk, “If they don’t like barges, then they should f*** off back to France.”
He added, “I believe that people have had enough.”
“These individuals cross the English Channel in small boats. If they don’t like the living conditions here, they should return to France, or better yet, not come at all.”
The Downing Street spokesperson defended his use of the “f-word” when discussing asylum seekers.
When questioned if this view reflected the administration, Number 10 cited Justice Secretary Alex Chalk’s “indignation” of Mr. Anderson.
