Plymouth vicar accused of aggressive tactics on asylum
A VICAR has been accused of using aggressive tactics to persuade Plymouth politicians to join his campaign against detaining the children of asylum seekers.
The Rev Tim Smith, vicar of St Judes Church, asked three local politicians to sign the Sanctuary Pledge, a campaign by a nationwide Citizens Group to stop children being held in detention centres like Yarl's Wood in Bedfordshire.
At a city centre rally yesterday, Mr Smith and opponents of asylum policy graphically highlighted the fact that Labour MP Linda Gilroy and her general election Conservative rival Oliver Colvile had both refused to sign.
Dr Judy Evans, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for the Sutton and Devonport seat, signed the pledge after an exchange of e-mails with Mr Smith. But she protested: "We have been alarmed by the aggressive nature through which you have attempted to engage me."
Mr Smith defended his tactics yesterday. He told The Herald: "As a country, we put 1,000 people into jail who have committed no crime. There are some people who find that offensive.
"We are not offering a solution. We say we should stop doing it. Asylum seekers are not illegal immigrants.
"Trying to get a politician to pay attention requires you to apply some pressure. If they don't take notice, we have to do something to embarrass them."
In e-mails to Dr Evans, he wrote: "... we are looking to you to personally sign the Sanctuary Pledge... If not, there could be every chance your campaign for election could fail", and "If you do not sign, we will let the media know."
Dr Evans replied later: "We have now signed the Sanctuary Pledge, which we have always been happy to do. We have some concerns about the nature of the event you will be hosting and will therefore not be attending.
"We have also been very alarmed by the aggressive nature through which you have attempted to engage me."
Mrs Gilroy said last night: "I support the general aims. It would be misleading and possibly dishonest for me to sign up to precise wording.
"I will continue to work with any group to assist those seeking refuge to have their cases heard in accordance with our obligations under international law.
"I back the work of the all party Home Affairs Select Committee on the detention of children in the immigration system.
"They say that to improve things, the asylum process needs to become fairer, quicker and more transparent to reduce the need to detain small children.
"But they also recognise that the removal of those living in the United Kingdom illegally must be a central tenet of any coherent immigration policy."
Mr Colvile said: "I am very sympathetic to the issue. If a Conservative government is elected on May 6, I will certainly lobby it to take a sympathetic view towards genuine asylum seekers.
"But I don't want to kid people into voting for me by signing a pledge I may not be able to fulfil."
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by Anon, Devon
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 5:33PM
“I applaud the Reverends concern regarding children's welfare, it's just a shame he doesn't show the same compassion for the children of 'this' country, the plight of which has been highlighted so many times in the courts & media, as the result of cruelty & neglect. If he wants to become a missionary perhaps he should start at the asylum seekers country of origin!”
by David, St Austell
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 4:26PM
“If they are genuine asylum seekers then the detention centres are like hotels compared to whatthe are fleeing. If they are not genuine then they should be deported.”
by Angela, Plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 4:23PM
“YES.......WELL SAID Stuart and very true”
by mikey, St Judes
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 3:58PM
“Well said Stuart Plymouth
the truth is they make their way to the uk because of BENEFITS end of story.
There are some people who DON'T find that offensive because they shouldn't be here.
to many god botherers interfearing where they should'nt .When your own church is turned into a mosque you might have somthing to complain about because you will be out of a job”
by New2Plymouth, Plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 3:44PM
“I don't find it enlightening, I find it unsurprising. A look through the information on the Refugee Council's website might enlighten you.”
by Bemused, The Hoe, Plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 3:31PM
“New2Plymouth, Plymouth - read Stuart from Plymouth's comment. Might enlighten you!!!”
by Bemused, The Hoe, Plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 3:28PM
“sarah, plymouth
Lots of capitals there, sounds like you're shouting at us! Anger management maybe............”
by New2Plymouth, Plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 3:25PM
“It is a shame that the Herald has not stayed focused on the real issue. The imprisonment of children who have done absolutely nothing wrong should not be happening in Britain today.
The vicar makes an important distinction between asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, a distinction that is all too often skated over in media and political discussion.
Providing sanctuary to people fleeing persecution is vitally important. Putting people in prison before deciding if they can stay here is wrong.”
by Stuart, Plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 3:17PM
“Heaven forbid war broke out in England and I had to flee with my children, but want to know something? 'The first safe country we reached would be the one where I would ask for asylum and happily jump through any hoops placed by the government and people of the country I had landed in,
Be I coming from Somalia, Ethiopia and travel north west I hit the Med coast and have to go through SAFE COUNTRIES.
Same if I travel from Syria or Iran, I go through Turkey and have Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Italy to aim for SAFE COUNTRIES, but I get through those without seeking the much needed adice and shelter and peaceof mind for my family or self, head for North cost of Spaina or France and try and get in UK.
Can someone please explain that to me?”
by michael, plymouth
Tuesday, April 27 2010, 2:41PM
“sorry but this is no lnger england im not racist never was but if it carrys on there is going to be a war i wont be involved but everywhere i go there is foriegn people i cant understand them and that annoys me for my own country you might aswell rip the flag up for england no dis respect to the queen but this will end up screwed”