Mahmood’s 50,000 deportation claim branded a ‘deliberate deception’ by Farage ally | Politics | News
Shabana Mahmood was accused of deliberate deception after claiming that Labor had removed nearly 50,000 illegal immigrants since the July 2024 election. The charge stems from the Home Office’s own classification of “repatriation”. Of the 35,052 recorded in the year to September 2025, only 9,115 were compulsory removals, involving detention and deportation flights.
Posting on site X by Reform England’s policy chief, Zia Yusuf, said: “The Home Secretary is lying to the public. ‘About 50,000 illegal immigrants have been removed or deported’. Many of these people left voluntarily, many without the government’s knowledge. Using the word ‘removed’, an active verb implying government action, is a deliberate deception.” His post was viewed more than 115,000 times in 24 hours, reaching 7,204 likes and 1,553 reshares.
The row broke out just before Ms Mahmood announced Danish-style asylum reforms in Parliament on Monday. “Close to 50,000 illegal immigrants have been removed or deported since the election,” X said in his Nov. 14 video.
He added: “Asylum claims are falling across Europe, but rising in Britain.” He called the Tory Rwanda plan: “A £700 million extravaganza that wastes years and money.”
The remaining 25,937 were voluntary departures; many of these were verified after individuals had left the country and were confirmed by subsequent checks such as exit records or withdrawal of benefits.
Labour’s headline figure of nearly 50,000, covering the entire period from July 2024 to October 2025, includes these untracked outflows, leading critics to claim it misrepresents the extent of the government’s active sanctions.
A Home Office ally said: “Today, being a refugee in Britain equals lifelong protection. Mahmood will change this, making refugee status temporary and subject to regular review. As soon as it is safe to return to your home country, you will be deported.”
According to plans, the five-year refugee status ends. With annual reviews, protection becomes temporary. Placement requires 10 years, English fluency, no benefits, a clean record and National Insurance contributions.
Judges must prioritize public safety over family life rights. Family reunification rules are being tightened and a model similar to Denmark’s is being adopted, which has reduced applications to a 40-year low.
Labor says the 50,000 total represents a 23% increase in displacement, driven by record raids and the impact of a UK-France pilot that has brought back 113 people since August. However, Channel crossings reached 39,075 this year, surpassing the total in 2024 of 36,816. Asylum applications reach 111,084 by June 2025; this number was the highest since 2001. Most nationalities: Pakistanis (10.1%), Afghans (7.5%), Iranians (7.0%).
Speaking in September, Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “I say again that anyone who comes into our country in a lorry or by boat will not be given refugee status, will not be given permission to stay.
“It’s unfair. It’s wrong… Anyone who comes illegally will be deported, completely.” He has vowed to leave the European Court of Human Rights and deport “hundreds of thousands” of legal immigrants on stricter visas.
Refugee Council chief executive Mr Enver Solomon said: “These sweeping changes will not deter people from dangerous crossings, but will unfairly prevent men, women and children from putting down roots and integrating into British life.” He warned the plans would create “brutal uncertainty” and contribute to Home Office chaos.
The annual cost of the asylum system is £5.4 billion, including £2.1 billion in hotel costs for 32,059 people. Small boats still dock at Dover; Friday’s arrivals included families and a man in a wheelchair.
The conflict is fierce, with the reform vote standing at 21% on immigration. Labor is pushing “less in, more out”. Reform requires a complete reset. Monday’s announcement could make or break Ms. Mahmood’s border strategy.
