World Immigration News

Tory and Reform politicians endanger trials with immigration ‘hysteria’, say former ministers

Release Date: 2025-08-05
Media: The Guardian
Summary: Former ministers and senior police officials have warned that Conservative and Reform UK politicians are fuelling hysteria and public anger over immigration, potentially endangering criminal trials and public safety.

Recent protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers have coincided with a rise in misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric. At a Reform UK press conference, a suspect awaiting trial was wrongly referred to as a "criminal," raising concerns over contempt of court. Party leader Nigel Farage defended the remark, calling it “good” that emotions were shown.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for updated guidance to allow police to disclose suspects’ ethnicity or immigration status, but critics warn this may fuel racism and vigilantism. While some former justice secretaries support more transparency, they also stress the dangers of misinformation and undermining the legal system.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and ex-counter-terrorism chief Neil Basu criticized politicians for risking trial integrity and public order, warning their language could incite violence, likening it to tactics used by Donald Trump in the U.S.

Legal experts stress that contempt of court laws are being ignored, especially on social media, and call for stronger enforcement. Meanwhile, public attitudes toward immigration have hardened, with polling showing widespread overestimation of illegal migrants.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, argue that releasing ethnicity or immigration status plays into dangerous narratives. The government has asked the Law Commission to review relevant guidance, with conclusions expected in the autumn.
Tags: United Kingdom

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