Sajid Javid questions whether cross-Channel migrants are 'genuine' asylum seekers

The home secretary has questioned whether migrants using small boats to cross the English Channel are "genuine" asylum seekers.

Speaking during a visit to Dover, Sajid Javid said: "A question has to be asked: if you are a genuine asylum seeker why have you not sought asylum in the first safe country that you arrived in?

"Because France is not a country where anyone would argue it is not safe in anyway whatsoever, and if you are genuine then why not seek asylum in your first safe country?"

The home secretary's comments have been criticised by opposition MPs and charities, with many pointing out that the UK has to assess asylum claims fairly.

:: Channel migrants: What are the numbers?

Amid criticism of the government's response to the crossing, Mr Javid also suggested that those picked up by UK authorities could have their asylum requests denied in a bid to prevent others from attempting the same journey.

Mr Javid defended declaring the situation a "major incident", with dozens of migrants being rescued in recent weeks.

He said 539 people had crossed the straits in 2018, with 80% making the journey in the last three months of the year.

The home secretary said in "almost every case" those crossing went on to seek asylum in the UK.

After talks with high-level officials on Monday, Mr Javid redeployed two cutters from overseas to work alongside HMC Searcher, which is already operating off the South coast.

He also promised better co-operation between French and UK law enforcement and more work on disrupting efforts to cross the Channel "both directly, but also in more covert ways".

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Javid said the government wanted to send a strong message to trafficking gangs that they "won't succeed and we won't allow people to succeed".

He added that anyone who made it to the UK would see their asylum request processed "in the normal way".

But, referring to the journey across the world's busiest shipping lane, Mr Javid continued: "It's incredibly dangerous, please do not do that, you are taking your life into your own hands.

"Also if you do somehow make it to the UK, we will do everything we can to make sure that you are often not successful because we need to break that link, and to break that link means we can save more lives."

But many have hit out at Mr Javid's comments.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Europe cannot "close its borders" to migrants.

Mr Corbyn said it is "obviously necessary to work with other countries, but stressed the "humanitarian aspect" of those trying to reach the UK.

Labour MP Stella Creasy, who has visited migrant camps in Calais, accused the home secretary of normalising "anti-refugee rhetoric online".

Dr Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy at the Refugee Council, described the remarks as "deeply concerning".

She said: "The outcome of an asylum application cannot be pre-judged before it has been made and must be processed on its individual merit, irrespective of how that person reached the country."

Dr Doyle added: "It's a shame that the home secretary seems to need reminding that seeking asylum is a right and the UK has an obligation to assess claims fairly and grant protection to those who need it."

Ed Davey, home affairs spokesman for the Lib Dems, said the remarks "show that the Tories' nasty, hostile environment is alive and well".

Figures for the year ending September 2018 show there were 27,966 asylum applications in the UK. This was 4% higher than in the previous 12 months, but lower than in 2015 and 2016.

A total of 5,295 of the applications were received at ports, while 22,671 were made "in-country".