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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Dave Burke

Tories accused of apeing Enoch Powell with bill that would see Sir Mo Farah removed

Struggling Rishi Sunak was asked if he is taking inspiration from notorious racist MP Enoch Powell by turning his back on sex trafficking victims.

In a bruising encounter, the PM faced a barrage of questions about his new "far-right appeasing, anti-refugee" immigration laws, which MPs heard would see Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah kicked out of the country.

Under draconian laws unveiled yesterday, those who arrive on small boats will be barred from claiming sanctuary using Modern Slavery laws.

The move has sparked outrage, with MPs told it was a "complete disgrace" at a lively PMQs session.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn asked Mr Sunak: "On this International Women's Day can I ask the Prime Minister to reaffirm that under his proposed new asylum laws, a woman who's sex trafficked on a small boat by a criminal gang won't be afforded protection under our modern slavery laws?"

Rishi Sunak faced a bruising barrage of questions over his immigration bill (BBC Parliament)

Refusing to say yes or no, Mr Sunak instead the law was aimed at targeting "compassion and resources" on the world's most vulnerable people.

"There's nothing fair about sustaining a system where people are dying on these crossings," he said.

In response Mr Flynn fumed: "I'll take that as a yes that women who are the victims of sex trafficking won't be protected. What an utter disgrace.

"Whilst it should shock, it won't necessarily surprise."

He went on: "May I ask the Prime Minister from whom are the government taking inspiration - Nigel Farage or Enoch Powell?"

Mr Flynn was referencing former Tory MP Mr Powell, whose infamous 'River of Blood' speech in 1968 rallying against immigration made him a hero among the far-right.

The PM dismissed this as "absolute nonsense" and doubled down on Home Secretary Suella Braverman's far-fetched claim that 100 million people would try to come to the UK.

The government's small boats legislation has attracted huge criticism (Getty Images)

Labour MP Imran Hussain voiced his fury at the bill, which he warned would see Sir Mo - who was trafficked to the UK as a child, removed from the country.

Mr Hussain said: "Let us be absolutely clear, under this government's new dystopian, far-right appeasing, anti-refugee bill - those who were trafficked to the UK would still face deportation.

"Can the Prime Minister clear up whether Sir Mo Farah, who last year bravely revealed he was trafficked to the UK as a child would be removed under this bill?"

Mr Sunak swerved the question, instead saying: "It's precisely because we do want to help the world's most vulnerable people that we've got to stop the system being exploited and overwhelmed by illegal migrants who are being trafficked by criminal gangs."

Keir Starmer accused the government of driving a 'coach and horses' through modern slavery rules (BBC Parliament)

It came after Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the Government's asylum plan of driving a "coach and horses" through the country's modern slavery framework.

Following a reference to International Women's Day, Mr Starmer said: "It's a crying shame that as we do so we face legislation that drives a coach and horses through our world-leading modern slavery framework which protects women from exploitation.

"In the last decade, this Government introduced five plans to tackle illegal immigration, five utter failures. The problem just gets worse with every new gimmick. The Home Secretary says the public are sick of tough talk and inadequate action.

"Does he agree with her assessment of this Government's record?"

Mr Sunak said: "What (the Labour leader) fails to recognise is there is a global migration problem. We are not alone in facing these challenges.

"It is precisely because across Europe the numbers escalating to the extent they are we have brought forward new plans, because we are determined to ensure that this remains a compassionate and generous country, that that is done fairly and legally."

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