Conservatives’ Landmark Immigration Bill Sentenced Fewer Than Five People in a Year – Guido Fawkes

Conservatives’ Landmark Immigration Bill Sentenced Fewer Than Five People in a Year

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The Sentencing Council has been discussing – with a view to implement – draft guidelines set out in its consultation from last year. The guidelines on immigration offences advise judges to dish out under-12 month sentences – thereby preventing foreign nationals from being deported…

Also in that guidance document are some interesting figures on the previous government’s record. Co-conspirators may remember then-Home Secretary Priti Patel’s landmark 2021 “New Plan” to “wipe out criminal networks” of people smugglers. The government caused a bit of a stir when it amended Section 25A of the Immigration Act 1971, which made it an offence to facilitate the arrival or entry of an asylum seeker into the UK. Patel’s amendments broadened the scope to remove a requirement to prove gain for facilitation of entry, and imposed a life sentence resulting from successful prosecution. Patel said this would “bring about the fundamental change needed to control illegal migration.” Hint: It didn’t…

The under-fire quango notes with regard to that legislation:

“The section 25A offence is very low volume. In 2022, fewer than 5 offenders were sentenced.”

Pretty low numbers there. Kemi has said the HRA shouldn’t apply to deportation cases but has stopped short of saying the UK should leave the ECHR. Poland is this week suspending migrants’ right to apply for asylum. Considering the previous Tory record politicians might want to start thinking outside the box…