Asylum petition to be debated by Dudley Council

Calls for tough action to control housing illegal immigrants and asylum seekers are set to be debated by Dudley Council.

The next meeting of the authority, on October 20, will discuss a petition of 3,229 signatures organised by the chairman of Dudley Reform UK and former Conservative MP, Marco Longhi.

The petition says Dudley residents are ‘deeply concerned’ about illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in the borough. It goes on to demand the council examine legal mechanisms to remove illegal immigrants and asylum seekers from hotels and consider using planning considerations to limit houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Stourbridge’s Labour MP and Dudley councillor, Cat Eccles, says immigration needs to be brought under control nationally and authorities need to know who is entering the country but she takes exception to suggestions asylum seekers are a danger in the borough.

Ms Eccles said: “I note the petition was organised by former Dudley MP Marco Longhi who peddles the idea that asylum seekers are a threat to women and children, a cause of crime, or jumping the queue for services, which is all nonsense.

“Despite there being no asylum accommodation in Stourbridge, I constantly have to dispel rumours about hotels and properties in the area.

“The number of asylum seekers in the borough is tiny and it’s absolutely right that every local authority in the country plays their part.

“But it is irresponsible to demonise people the way Mr Longhi and his party have, and it damages community cohesion and trust.”

Mr Longhi said: “This isn’t about demonising genuine refugees, it’s about protecting the public and fixing a system that both Labour and the Conservatives have allowed to collapse.

“Reform UK would end the use of hotels, deport those here illegally, and we would put Dudley people and British citizens first.

“And if we truly want community cohesion, then all communities should unreservedly condemn these crimes and stand together in demanding stronger border controls and proper justice for victims.”