Minister refuses to commit UK to refugee convention after Braverman’s migration speech

Published

1 year ago

September 27, 2023

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A cabinet minister has refused to commit to the UK staying as a signatory to the United Nations refugee convention following a controversial speech in the US by Suella Braverman on migration.

The home secretary has faced severe criticism over her comments in Washington DC on Tuesday, where she said being gay or a woman should not be enough to gain asylum.

Politics live: Braverman under fire for asylum speech

Appearing on Sky News, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer defended the remarks, saying “fearing discrimination is different” from someone’s life being at risk.

She failed to commit to the convention repeatedly, telling Sky News’ Kay Burley: “It is up to all countries to look at where the conventions that were signed a number of years ago are [and] as they are interpreted today whether they are still doing the job they are enacted to do.”

But she did say: “I think that those conventions are really important.”

The Refugee Convention was established in 1951 following the horrors of the Second World War, and was designed to protect those who face serious threats to their life or freedom.

It sets out an internationally recognised definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protections they are entitled to, along with their rights and any assistance that should be given.

The UK has been a long-standing signatory to the convention.

However, Ms Braverman has now questioned whether courts have redefined asylum to be granted for people suffering “discrimination” instead of “persecution” – especially in the context of someone who is gay or a woman.

“Where individuals are being persecuted, it is right that we offer sanctuary,” she said.

“But we will not be able to sustain an asylum system if, in effect, simply being gay, or a woman, and fearful of discrimination in your country of origin, is sufficient to qualify for protection.”

Her remarks have been condemned by the United Nations’ refugee agency – the UNHCR – which oversees the convention, saying the agreement “remains as relevant today as when it was adopted in providing an indispensable framework for addressing those challenges, based on international co-operation”.

The home secretary was also criticised by musician and campaigner Sir Elton John, who said she risked “further legitimising hate and violence” against LGBT+ people.

And Labour peer Lord Dubs – who came to the UK on the kindertransport as a child in 1939 – accused of of “trying to blame other people for her own failures and the failures of her government.

He told Sky News: “This is not the way to behave. I think she is covering up for the complete incompetence of the Home Office in the way they are handling refugees, and I don’t think ministers should go abroad and attack this country.

“[The government] wants to hype up the argument on refugees as part of an election winning strategy. I think that is really shabby.”

Asked by Kay Burley if the government was committed to the convention, Culture Secretary Ms Frazer said: “What [Ms Braverman] was saying was… uncontrolled illegal immigration is an international problem, it is a global problem that needs global solutions, and you will know as a government we are absolutely committed to that.

“International agreements are really important, they are part of the bedrock of our international cooperation, but what the home secretary was talking about was the fact that when that UN convention of 1951 was formed it was all about persecution, and immigration was nowhere near the levels it is today.

“And what she was talking about was that case law has interpreted the 1951 convention through a much looser definition and now what we are getting is economic migrants coming here as well as those who are suffering persecution.

“And what she was saying is that is something we should be thinking about internationally and I do think that we need international solutions to these issues.”

She continually refused to commit to staying in the convention.

Asked if a gay person fearing for their life should be able to seek asylum in the UK, she replied: “So if someone is fearing… if someone is at a threat of losing their life and is at risk of persecution and being killed, then of course they should be seeking refuge.

“If they are fearing discrimination… that is different.”

Ms Frazer added: “I think this is very clear that if someone is being persecuted, in terms of they’re going to lose their life, then that is what the convention was there for.

“[Ms Braverman] was distinguishing between discrimination and fear of discrimination and fearing for your life in terms of persecution.”

Asked for a response after the interview, a Number 10 spokesperson said: “We are committed to all our international conventions.”

Politics

Starmer says ‘US is right’ about UK and Europe needing to take more responsibility for defence

Published

2 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Starmer says 'US is right' about UK and Europe needing to take more responsibility for defence

Sir Keir Starmer has said the United States “is right” about the UK and Europe needing to take more responsibility for defence and security.

The prime minister, speaking at the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow on Sunday, said he is clear Britain “will take a leading responsibility” in protecting the continent.

“Instability in Europe always washes up on our shores,” he said.

“And this is a generational moment. I’ve been saying for some time that we Europeans – including the United Kingdom – have to do more for our defence and security. The US is right about that.”

He added “we can’t cling to the comforts of the past” as it is “time to take responsibility for our security”.

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Donald Trump sparked an emergency meeting of European leaders this week after he said European NATO members should spend more on defence, while the US should spend less.

Sir Keir has said he will set out a path for the UK to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, up from the current 2.3%, but has not indicated when that will be.

It is believed he may announce the details when he visits Mr Trump in Washington DC on Thursday, bringing forward the announcement that was expected in the spring when a defence spending review is published.

The prime minister reiterated the UK will “play our role” if required in Ukraine following a peace agreement after he earlier this week said the UK would send troops to be part of a peacekeeping force.

However, his comments caused a row with Germany and Italy who said it was premature to commit to boots on the ground, although France agreed with the UK.

Sir Keir said: “As we enter a new phase in this conflict, we must now deepen our solidarity even further.”

He added: “There can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine.

“And the people of Ukraine must have long-term security.”

This week has seen US officials meet their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine – which has been met with indignation by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as none of his team were invited.

No Europeans were invited either, sparking concern the US is pandering to Vladimir Putin.

Sir Keir has promised Mr Zelenskyy he will make the case for safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty when he meets with Mr Trump, who has called the Ukrainian president a dictator.

Mr Trump also said Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, who will visit the White House too this week, “haven’t done anything” to end the war.

Politics

Starmer announces £200m for Grangemouth

Published

4 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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The prime minister has announced £200m for Grangemouth ahead of the closure of Scotland’s last oil refinery.

Sir Keir Starmer, speaking at the Scottish Labour conference on Sunday, said the cash would come from the National Wealth Fund for an “investment in Scotland’s industrial future”.

Grangemouth oil refinery, on the banks of the Firth of Forth, is set to cease operation this summer and transition into an import terminal, making 400 workers redundant.

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Sir Keir said: “We will grasp the opportunities at Grangemouth, work alongside partners to develop viable proposals, team up with business to get new industries off the ground and to attract private investors into the partnership we need.

“We will allocate £200m from the National Wealth Fund for investment in Grangemouth.”

The money comes on top of a £100m “growth plan” already in place for the area.

Scotland’s first minister, the SNP’s John Swinney, welcomed the announcement and said it is “important that the Scottish and UK governments work together on securing the future for the workforce”.

Sir Keir said the new investment will be a partnership with the private sector, and he is expecting three times the amount the government is putting in to come from private investors.

The prime minister said he believes the transition to clean energy is a “golden opportunity for Britain, especially for Scotland”, and is essential for national security as it “gets Putin’s boots off our throat”.

However, he said oil and gas are also “vital for our security” so will be “part of the future of Scotland for decades to come”.

As well as the investment in Grangemouth’s future, Sir Keir said every person made redundant will get 18 months full pay and a skills and training offer “backed up with up to £10m”.

Any business in Grangemouth that takes on those workers will get National Insurance relief, he also said.

Petroineos, which owns Grangemouth, announced last September it was to close Grangemouth by this summer because it was unable to compete with sites in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The refinery is understood to have been losing about £395,000 a day when it made the announcement and was on course to lose about £153m this year.

The company said the decision would “safeguard fuel supply for Scotland” by converting the site into a terminal able to import petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene into Scotland.

However, it said that would only need a workforce of fewer than 100 employees.

Petroineos announced its intention to close the plant in November 2023 but union leaders had hoped it could remain open for longer to provide time for a green alternative to be established there.