Hermon critical of Clarke on Foreign Offenders
Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon has voiced scepticism about the Government’s announcement of new proposals to deport foreign criminals. The North Down MP said:
“What the Home Secretary has announced isn’t anything new. The power to deport foreign criminals is already there but it just isn’t being used enough and that is the real problem. Even if the Government does introduce new legislation, it won’t apply to EU nationals, it won’t apply to those who can’t be deported for logistical reasons and, no doubt, to those who immediately claim asylum.”
The Ulster Unionist Home Affairs Spokesperson continued:
“If we look at the prison population in Northern Ireland, there are 9 females and 114 males who are not British citizens. But only one of those women and only approximately 20 of those men are non-EU citizens. So, it’s hard to see what the Government is seeking to change by this announcement, apart from changing headlines of inaction into headlines of action.
That aside, the real issue needing urgently to be addressed is the complete abdication of responsibility of foreign Governments for their citizens who come to the UK and commit offences, get caught and sentenced. It’s then that we, the taxpayers, spend on average over £85,000 per annum keeping these foreign criminals locked up, whilst their home Governments contribute nothing towards their upkeep.”