THE Archbishop of Canterbury has been given a dressing down for attacking plans to curb illegal migration.
Justin Welby insisted a government Bill was “morally unacceptable”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has sparked fury after attacking Government’s plans to curb illegal migration
Justin Welby insisted a government Bill was ‘morally unacceptable’
But his intervention during a Lords debate yesterday earnt him a stinging rebuke.
House Of Cards author and Tory peer Lord Dobbs said: “It is our moral obligation to stop them.
“No amount of hand-wringing or bell ringing is going to do that.”
And Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick reckoned: “There’s nothing moral about allowing the pernicious trade of people smugglers to continue.”
Mr Welby, the Church of England’s most senior cleric, told peers the plan to send migrants to Rwanda risked damaging the UK’s reputation at home and abroad.
He said: “It is isolationist, morally unacceptable and politically impractical.
“This Bill is an attempt at a short-term fix.
“This nation should lead internationally, not stand apart.”
But Mr Welby did concede “we cannot take everyone, and nor should we” and said he would try to change the Bill rather than destroy it.
Critics say there’s nothing Christian about people smuggling.
MP Mark Jenkinson added: “Church leadership is increasingly detached from church membership.”
Tory party vice chair Lee Anderson called on Mr Welby to take in migrants at his Lambeth Palace home and for vicarages to be used instead of hotels, which costs taxpayers £6million a day.
The Illegal Migration Bill is a key part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to stop small boats full of migrants crossing the Channel.
It would bar anyone who comes to the UK illegally from claiming asylum and give ministers extra powers to block legal challenges and remove people to try to deter people smugglers.
The Bill faces challenges from opponents in the House of Lords who are hoping to halt its progress by tabling dozens of amendments.
Last year 45,000 people came to the UK in small boats and 6,000 have made the journey so far this year.
Downing Street defended the Bill as “compassionate and fair”.
The PM’s spokesman said: “It is not right to allow people to be preyed upon by criminal gangs.”
