Shabana Mahmood to 'ramp up' deportations as she admits concern over rise of far right
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood tells ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand the number of deportation flights currently leaving the UK is just a 'small first step'.
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to "ramp up" deportations after criticism over the 'one in, one out' scheme, as she expressed concern over the rise of the far right in Britain.
The government is under increased pressure to tackle the small boats crisis, with protests against immigration and the use of asylum hotels flaring up over the past few weeks. A rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in central London in September attracted an estimated 150,000 people.
In her first in-depth interview since taking on the job, Mahmood, who became home secretary earlier this month after a year as justice secretary, said she was "worried about the rise of the far right".
"I'm very worried about some of the rhetoric," she told ITV News.
"I think it is getting out of control and I worry about where that may lead.
"As politicians, we should hold the line on what is patriotism and what is nationalism, there is a line there - I know where it is.
"If we have got control of our borders, I think that creates the space for fundamental, decent, British people to be welcoming of those who come to our country and to contribute."
The returns agreement has faced growing scrutiny after deportation flights were cancelled following legal challenges raised against the scheme.
On Tuesday, the Home Office was refused permission to challenge a High Court ruling that granted an Eritrean man a temporary block on his deportation to France.
Mahmood told ITV News she would escalate deportations to the point that they would act as a deterrent to people wanting to cross the Channel on small boats.
"You start with a small first step and then you ramp up, which is exactly what we're going to be doing," she said.
"I want us to get to a point where the numbers that are being removed are acting as a deterrent and stop people getting on the boats in the first place."
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The 'one in, one out' scheme was agreed between France and the UK in July and means people who arrive in the UK by small boat can be detained and returned to France, in exchange for an equivalent number of people who apply through a safe and legal route.
But just four asylum seekers have been removed from the country so far under the landmark deal.
On Tuesday, an Afghan person became the most recent person to be returned to France.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defends a scheme that pays foreign national offenders to voluntarily return home
Mahmood oversaw the early prison release scheme during her time as justice secretary, which aimed to free up jail spaces.
Now, as home secretary, she has defended paying foreign national offenders who volunteer to return to their home country as part of the Facilitated Return Scheme.
An ITV News team was given exclusive access to a deportation flight taking 47 foreign criminals back to Romania.
During the flight, ITV News filmed several migrants being handed bank cards, pre-loaded with money.
"Out of context, it's not great, it doesn't look good," she said after being shown the footage.
"A voluntary removal is actually cheaper for the British taxpayer.
"It has long been the case that we do offer financial packages as an incentive to people to drop their claims and drop the attempts they make to stay in our country, and to board a flight and leave."
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