“Sham lawyers” who facilitate abuse of the asylum system in the UK will face the full force of the law.”
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood indicated that, after a BBC investigation revealed how law firms and advisers are charging thousands of pounds to help migrants pretend to be gay to stay in the UK.
It is understood that the UK Home Office is investigating the individuals highlighted in the BBC’s reporting as part of a wider investigation prompted by officials noticing a growing trend of fake claims from people pretending to be gay.
Conservatives say the system “must be totally overhauled” so only those facing real personal persecution are granted asylum.
The UK’s asylum process offers protection to people who cannot return to their home countries because they would be in danger, for example, in countries where gay sex is illegal.
Mahmood said: “Anyone abusing protections for people fleeing persecution over gender or sexual orientation is beyond contempt.
“Let me be clear: try to defraud the British people to enter or remain in the UK and your asylum claim will be refused, your support cut off, and you will find yourself on a one-way flight out of Britain.
“Sham lawyers facilitating this abuse will face the full force of the law.”
