The 2005 Election: how can you be such a hypocrite

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, May 1, 2005 | by EXCLUSIVE By PAUL GILFEATHER Political Editor

MICHAEL Howard secretly gave nearly 15,000 failed asylum seekers the right to stay in Britain for life when he was Home Secretary.

The Tory leader attempted to hide the move - which is now being seen as a cynical bid to clear the then huge backlog of applicants.

Our revelations will stun voters who have been bombarded throughout the General Election campaign with Mr Howard's pledge to hit fake asylum applicants hard.

The Tory leader has been savaged on the campaign trail by punters disgusted at his severe treatment of asylum seekers.

Under pressure from irate voters, he refused to apologise, insisting: "I tell it like it is, I'm afraid."

But he was less than frank in 1993 and 1994 when he failed to declare the deal which gave 14,785 failed asylum seekers immunity.

Mr Howard, then a member of John Major's Cabinet, gave 11,125 failed asylum seekers "exceptional leave to remain" in 1993. A year later he topped up that figure to 14,785 by giving a further 3,660 the same immunity. Former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett and his successor Jack Straw both granted immunity to thousands of asylum seekers.

But while they declared their intention to Parliament, Mr Howard failed to tell MPs. Mr Howard's secret was only uncovered after Labour won power in 1997 and Mr Straw asked officials how the Tories had dealt with the problem. It was never made public.

Yesterday the Tory leader faced charges of hypocrisy, as he continued to peddle his tough line on immigration and asylum.

Last night a senior Labour source said: "Why is Michael Howard so desperate to keep all of this so quiet? It's not an unusual thing to do.

"Blunkett and Straw both granted leave to remain, but did the right thing and declared it to Parliament.

"Mr Howard's decision appears to be a cynical attempt to clear the backlog of applications.

"We doubt if this amnesty was granted out of compassion.

"It makes a total mockery of his current message to voters where he creates the image of a tough guy who would show asylum seekers no mercy."

We revealed earlier this year that Mr Howard's own father was turned back from Britain's shores as an illegal immigrant.

The Tory leader was desperate to keep his family history under wraps, but admitted his Romanian grandfather came into the UK illegally.

It appears Mr Howard's immunity deal for thousands of fake asylum seekers was also supposed to remain secret.

p.gilfeather@sundaymirror.co.uk

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