Priti Patel’s Nationality and Borders bill would criminalise people fleeing Ukraine

Ukrainians arriving in the UK without a visa would be classed as criminals

Ahead of a crucial vote on Monday, Lord Blunkett has called on the government to withdraw a controversial clause that would count Ukranians who arrived without a visa as “illegals”.

In its current form, Priti Patel’s Border’s Bill would treat Ukrainians seeking asylum in the UK as second tier refugees, or even as criminals, because they would be arriving via irregular routes.

An individual without a visa or legitimate passport would also be counted as an illegal, and would not be allowed to go through the normal process of seeking asylum.

The clause stipulates that a person’s entry into the United Kingdom would be unlawful, if they arrive without pre-approval.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new temporary visa scheme that would allow close family members to seek safe haven in the United Kingdom – but most Ukrainian asylum seekers would still not qualify under these provisions.

It’s expected around 100,000 Ukrainians are seeking asylum in the UK.

The provisions fall behind those offered by other EU countries, including Poland, who have extended an invitation of asylum regardless of whether an individual is in possession of a passport or visa.

Lord Blunkett, who is due to vote on legislation later this afternoon, is encouraging the government and fellow peers to repeal the clause.

Speaking to LBC on Monday morning, he said Patel’s “silly piece of legislation” was “misleading people across the world”, and encouraged the government to rethink its approach.

He argued that people who have been forced into making their own way to the UK would be given an inferior form of protection with more limited rights. He added the bill would violate the UK’s binding legal commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

A petition to repeal the clause from charity Freedom from Torture has amassed 130,000 signatures.

The charity’s chief executive, Sonya Sceats, said the clause is a “slam” in the face for asylum seekers.

She said: “While other European states are slashing red tape to welcome Ukrainians and help them claim asylum, Boris Johnson is talking up small adjustments to visa rules.

“The government knows that a crucial vote in the Lord’s tonight could derail their anti-refugee Nationality and Borders Bill, which senior British parliamentarians, jurists and the UN’s refugee agency warn breaches international law.

“Make no mistake, a vote for this cruel and dangerous bill is a vote to slam the door in the face of Ukrainian men, women and children who desperately need our help.”