RAMP Principals Speak at Home Office Oral Questions

Home Office Oral Questions took place in the Commons yesterday afternoon.  RAMP Principals Tony Vaughan MP and Chris Murray MP took part. 

Chris Murray MP highlighted the importance of international cooperation on illegal immigration and welcomed the UK’s “one in, one out” returns deal with France. He asked the Minister for an update on its progress and whether discussions had taken place with French counterparts.

In response, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said international cooperation is essential to strengthening border security and confirmed she is in contact with French counterparts. She described the UK–France returns deal as a landmark agreement and said work is under way to begin the first flights soon.

Tony Vaughan MP argued that leaving the EU ended the previous returns agreement, which was not replaced by the Conservatives, but said the current Government has now addressed this. He asked whether the Home Secretary agreed that France would not have signed a returns deal if the UK had left the European Convention on Human Rights. 

In response, the Home Secretary said the UK’s membership of the European Convention on Human Rights underpins agreements such as the Good Friday Agreement and the France returns pilot. She added that any discussion on reforming the convention should be handled responsibly, and confirmed she would continue this approach as Home Secretary.