Wokingham MP’s rhetoric regarding asylum seekers has been branded ‘disgusting’ by an opposition party. 

John Redwood accused “officials [and] lawyers” of briefing against Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who last night referred to the growing number of people crossing the Channel seeking refuge in Britian as an “invasion”. 

In a tweet, Mr Redwood suggested those criticising Ms Braverman should “help her stop the illegal migrants” who are making the journey in small boats. 

Wokingham Liberal Democrats responded to Mr Redwood by pointing out that it is only possible to claim asylum “once you are in the country” and accused the Conservative government of creating a system that is a “paradise” for people smugglers. 

“You then use these people as a scapegoat to distract from your government’s appalling record. It’s disgusting,” they added. 

READ MORE: Redwood slams Alok Sharma's criticism of PM after COP27 snub

The right for everyone to flee persecution and seek asylum in another country is enshrined in the United Nations 1948 Declaration of Human Rights – they cannot be classed as ‘illegal’ until they have been refused the right to asylum, which those crossing the Channel have not. 

Roughly 75 per cent of people who come to the UK are granted asylum. 

Since vowing to reduce the number of Chanel crossings during the 2019 general election, the Conservatives have presided over annual increases year on year – 8,500 in 2020, 28,500 in 2021 and 30,000 so far this year. 

Mr Redwood said the UK has a problem “handling the large numbers” of people seeking asylum. However, when compared to EU countries, the UK was ranked 14th on the number of applications per capita in 2020, according to the House of Commons library.