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“The vast majority of people coming across the Channel are economic migrants, they are not asylum seekers. The vast majority are men between the ages of 18 and 40 coming from Iraq and Iran primarily.”

Tory MP Scott Benton, BBC2 Politics Live

27 March 2022

Facts

Scott Benton was correct to say that statistics show that in 2021, 19,763 of the 28,526 people (69%) recorded by the Home Office as having arrived on a small boat were men between the ages of 18 and 40. It is also right that 47% came from Iran or Iraq. However, research carried out by the Refugee Council, covering the period between January 2020 and June 2021, found that 61% of initial asylum decisions would have resulted in refugee protection being granted. See also analysis by Full Fact.  

Verdict

Tory MP Scott Brenton was misleading TV viewers about cross channel migrants. He was echoing earlier false claims by the Home Secretary about asylum seekers. 

We approached Scott Benton's parliamentary office to give him a chance to comment, but received no response.

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