One of the UK’s most senior Bishops has warned that Nigel Farage’s proposed asylum ban “betrays Britain’s proud history”.
The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, told The Mirror that a plan to shut down the asylum system for five years, as proposed by the Reform leader, flies in the face of Christian teachings. Mr Farage has repeatedly spoken about Judeo-Christian values – saying these are the heart of what makes Britain great.
But he has faced heavy criticism from Christian leaders. The latest intervention comes just days after the Catholic Church of England and Wales voiced its opposition to Mr Farage’s draconian plan. Dr Francis-Dehqani, one of 25 Church of England Bishops who sit in the House of Lords, told The Mirror: “Christians are called to love our neighbours and show hospitality to the stranger, a tradition deeply embedded in Britain’s long-standing history of protecting those fleeing danger and persecution.
Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, has criticised proposals to shut down Britain’s asylum system(Image: PA Media)
“A policy that dismantles our asylum system and slams the door on all those seeking sanctuary, including children and those who have come through established routes, betrays Britain’s proud history of helping those most in need. Instead of locking out the vulnerable, politicians should develop proposals for building a fair, efficient and humane asylum system that honours the inherent dignity of those seeking sanctuary here.”
Read it all in the Mirror