Tag Archives: daily mail

Ash Sarkar: Tory Migration Crackdown Is A ‘Nastiness Olympics’

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Journalist Ash Sarkar has confronted Tory minister Helen Whately over the government’s controversial migration crackdown – accusing the administration of indulging in a “nastiness Olympics” to please the Daily Mail.

The accusation came on BBC’s Question Time, which this week came from Bexhill-on-Sea, and was prompted by the Archbishop of Canterbury condemning the government’s plans to tackle the small boats crisis as “morally unacceptable and politically impractical”.

The intervention by Justin Welby sparked criticism of the church leader at Westminster, who was told neither “handwringing or bell ringing” will solve the misery of the channel crossings.

Th immigration reforms aim to ensure those who arrive in the UK without permission will be detained and promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda. Meanwhile, asylum seekers are being housed in barracks and barges.

On the show, Sarkar said proposed new laws were treating “people who have been raped, people who have been tortured, people who are fleeing persecution” as “criminals”.

The writer went on: “I object so strongly when you use these words like ‘generosity’, to talk about things like having a glorified prison ship or refurbishing a prison just around the corner from here in order to detain people who are fleeing some of the most unimaginable circumstances possible.

“No government does that because they think it’s morally good. No government does that because they think it’s particularly efficient or effective.

“You’re doing it because you’ve committed yourself to this nastiness Olympics because you want a pat on the back from the Daily Mail and the human cost of that is obscene.”

Whately had argued 500,000 migrants coming to the UK since 2015, and people opening their homes to Ukrainians, showed the UK is a “generous country on offering asylum” – but it was “morally wrong” not to crackdown on people smugglers fuelling the problem.

On the same question, broadcaster and clergyman Rev Richard Coles called the illegal migration bill “politically unworkable, legally doubtful and morally indefensible”, adding he supported Welby’s position.

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Michael Gove Says He Made A ‘Mistake’ By Seeing Drug Use As Acceptable

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Michael Gove said he made a “mistake” by thinking drug taking was “somehow acceptable”.

The senior Conservative MP was grilled over his own previous drug use after he revealed plans to ban laughing gas in Britain.

Nitrous oxide is set to be banned under government plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

However, during the 2019 Tory leadership race Gove himself admitted to taking Class A drug cocaine.

“I took drugs on several occasions at social events more than 20 years ago,” he told the Daily Mail. “At the time I was a young journalist. It was a mistake. I look back and I think, I wish I hadn’t done that.”

The levelling up secretary said he had learned it was a “mistake” and it was “absolutely vital” to deal with the “scourge” of laughing gas.

Asked if the public might view his stance on laughing gas as “hypocritical”, he told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday: “No, I think it is because I have learned.”

Pressed on what he had learned, Gove said: “That it is a mistake — worse than a mistake — to regard drug taking as somehow acceptable.”

Empty cannisters of laughing gas lying on the street in Birmingham.
Empty cannisters of laughing gas lying on the street in Birmingham.

Mike Kemp via Getty Images

Confirming the ban on laughing gas, Gove said: “I think anyone who has the opportunity to walk through our parks in our major cities will have seen these little silver canisters, which are examples of people not only spoiling public spaces but taking a drug which can have a psychological and neurological effect and one that contributes to antisocial behaviour overall.”

Laughing gas is the second most commonly used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England after cannabis.

The decision goes further than the recommendations of a review commissioned by the Home Office, which stopped short of recommending a ban after examining the dangers of the substance.

Gove accepted that ministers had been advised not to ban laughing gas but said the government had taken a different view.

“Of course it is absolutely right that we uphold the law in this case,” he added.

“Yes, the advisory committee offered their advice but ultimately it is ministers who are responsible.

“And we believe collectively that it is absolutely vital that we deal with this scourge and in the same way.”

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