‘Pushback’ policy slammed

The Home Office could face a court injunction to stop “pushbacks” — a policy that forces refugees back across the channel — says the PCS union which represents border force staff.

In December 2021 alone, at least 27 people are estimated to have died while trying to cross to the UK in a small boat.

Alongside emergency aid charity Care4Calais, the PCS made the move following an article in The Times last month which reported that the government had sought to implement pushback tactics twice. The government said the only reason they did not actually use the tactics was that there were no crossings on those days.

The two organisations say the move would contravene international law and would be in defiance of a judicial review which PCS and Care4Calais launched last December.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka described government “arrogance” as “breathtaking”. He pointed out that the legality of the pushbacks policy is before the High Court, “and yet the ministers think they can instruct our members to carry out a morally reprehensible and potentially unlawful act”.

And he described as “outrageous” the Home Office announcement that it is pressing ahead with the policy “when it knows that it is subject to judicial review.

“Our focus is to protect Border Force members, abide by the law and avoid harming refugees who try to reach the UK.”