Fury as Labour accused of opening ‘backdoor’ migrant route after 60 Sri Lankans land on remote British territory

THE Government has been accused of opening a “backdoor” migrant route after welcoming 60 who landed on a remote British territory.

The Tamil asylum seekers have been stranded on the Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean since 2021 and have demanded to be brought to the UK.

Despite growing pressure – including several suicide attempts – the previous Tory government refused to airlift them to Britain.

Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has now flown them here, despite the previous Conservative government refusing to.

Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick added: “Starmer has opened a back door to the UK.

“He’s needlessly flown illegal immigrants to our shores, even though some may be criminals and child abusers.”

Tory MPs have raised fears some may be hardened criminals.

Nick Timothy – a former Home Office adviser – said officials worry some of the group are hardened criminals.

He told The Sun: “Labour were under no obligation to take any of these Sri Lankan migrants.

“Yet ministers have brought them to Britain without, it seems, even checking their criminal records.

“This is putting the welfare of foreign nationals ahead of the safety of British citizens. It is madness.”

A Government spokesman said: “A small number of individuals have been temporarily relocated to the UK” — adding: “This is a one off.”

Sir Keir has struck a deal with Mauritius that will surrender sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, with the exception of the UK-US Diego Garcia base