Keir Starmer faces criticism from Labour MPs over his opposition to Palestinians claiming asylum in Britain

Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh criticism over his opposition to Palestinians claiming asylum in Britain - this time from within his own party. More than a dozen serving Labour MPs and peers have told the Prime Minister to explain why he has vowed to close a ‘loophole’ that allowed a family in war-torn Gaza to settle in the UK. He was told by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr that it was ‘unacceptable’ of him and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to condemn judges who granted leave to remain to a family of six from Gaza. In the Commons exchange last week, Sir Keir said the decision was ‘wrong’ and that the Home Office is ‘already looking at the legal loophole that we need to close in this particular case’. Now, in a letter sent to him today, more than 30 cross-party MPs and peers led by Labour backbencher Kim Johnson wrote: ‘We are writing to ask you to clarify your statement at Prime Minister’s Questions last week, where you indicated that you are committed to closing a “loophole” that allowed a Palestinian family to remain in Britain after they applied through a scheme designed for Ukrainian refugees.’ More than a dozen serving Labour MPs and peers have told the Prime Minister to explain why he has vowed to close a ‘loophole’ that allowed a family in war-torn Gaza to settle in the UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, with Lady Chief Justice The Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill and Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, Pictured July 15 2024 Starmer was told by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr that it was ‘unacceptable’ of him and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to condemn judges who granted leave to remain to a family of six from Gaza They told him: ‘As you know, there is still no resettlement route for Palestinians fleeing the bloodshed, starvation and bombardment that has devastated Gaza for over 15 months.