Fake Home Office website targeting asylum seekers probed by Information Commissioner

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Information Commissioner is probing a complaint about a Home Office website accused of misleading asylum seekers and hiding government links. Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labour’s shadow home secretary, called the campaign “false, disgraceful and dehumanising” and called for the government to tackle people smuggling by creating more safe and legal routes for asylum seekers. The prime minister’s spokesperson called the crossings “dangerous and unnecessary” on Friday, and vowed to push ahead with controversial laws aiming to criminalise asylum seekers who arrive on small boats. Its rating reads: “The site presents itself as a neutral source, but appears to be surreptitiously directed by the UK government to deter irregular migrants … MigrantsOnTheMove.org appears to advance the agenda of its undisclosed owner, the British government, without disclosing the site’s policy agenda and perspective.” The website, which remains online, tells readers the UK “regularly returns people who enter via irregular routes” but it has not been able to deport asylum seekers to EU countries since 1 January because of Brexit.