Home Office to probe reports ‘migrants are being advised to make false claims’

The Government has launched an investigation into reports that migrants are being advised to make false claims in order to remain in the UK.

It follows a BBC investigation that said increasing numbers of people were making false claims about being victims of domestic abuse or about their sexuality.

Downing Street branded the reported actions as “shameful”.

Asked about the reports, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Both the Home Office and Immigration Advice Authority are investigating the claims made by the BBC, both yesterday and today, to ensure anyone potentially abusing our immigration system is held accountable.

“Any attempt to misuse protections designed to protect genuine victims from the devastation of domestic abuse is shameful and completely unacceptable.

“The Home Secretary has been clear that those trying to defraud the British people to remain in the UK will have their application refused and find themselves on a one-way flight out of Britain.

“Where unethical and illegal practices are identified and evidence exists, legal practitioners will be referred to the police through the relevant regulatory body.”

Asked whether the Prime Minister was confident claims were being scrutinised closely enough, the spokesman said: “The asylum system is built on robust safeguards, so every claim is rigorously and fairly assessed, abuse is actively uncovered, and these procedures are continually reviewed to shut down misuse.”

On Wednesday, Downing Street warned that migrants found to be lying about their sexuality to claim asylum will be deported.

The BBC investigation exposed law firms and advisers charging thousands of pounds to help asylum seekers pretend to be gay so they could make a successful claim to stay in the UK.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said sham lawyers would “face the full force of the law”, adding: “Anyone abusing protections for people fleeing persecution over gender or sexual orientation is beyond contempt.”