Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has accused Attorney General Lord Hermer of making a 'disgraceful slur' by suggesting that some right-wing politicians' policies on small boats would effectively let 'people drown in the water'.
In an interview with the BBC's Political Thinking podcast, Lord Hermer defended the Labour government's approach to reducing Channel crossings through international cooperation. He argued that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as proposed by the Conservatives and Reform UK, would undermine such deals.
When asked about opposition plans to 'send migrants somewhere else', Lord Hermer responded: 'Well I think what they mean by that is let people drown in the water and that is not a British way to deal with it.' He clarified that he did not believe Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch intended such an outcome, but expressed concern about 'some of the voices, even to the right of Kemi Badenoch' using 'deeply concerning' rhetoric that showed 'disregard for the humanity of people'.
Philp fired back, calling the comment a 'disgraceful slur' and accusing human rights lawyers like Hermer and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of prioritising 'the often tenuous human rights claims of illegal immigrants' over border protection. He claimed small boat crossings had increased under Labour and argued that leaving the ECHR was necessary to deport all illegal immigrants within a week of arrival.
A spokesperson for Lord Hermer responded: 'The Attorney General repeatedly argues that this government has a steely determination to tackle illegal immigration, and this is not in tension with upholding our human rights obligations. The Attorney also makes clear his concern about how some on the hard-right are using dehumanising rhetoric about migrants, and that this is not the British way.'
The exchange highlights the heated debate over UK immigration policy, with the Conservatives and Reform UK advocating ECHR withdrawal to facilitate deportations, while Labour insists on international cooperation to address the root causes of illegal migration.