Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to prevent the UK from acting as a safe haven for people accused of crimes against humanity that do not hold British citizenship or residency.

The UK is committed to upholding international law and to ensuring the UK does not provide a safe haven for those involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Immigration Rules provide for the mandatory refusal or cancellation of permission to enter or stay in the UK for those whose presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good, for example because of their conduct, character, associations or other reasons. A foreign national may also be excluded from the UK on the basis that it is conducive to the public good.

Whilst we have a proud history of providing protection to those who need it, we will deny the benefits of refugee status to those who have committed serious crimes, are a danger to the community, or who are a threat to national security. Those refused refugee status who cannot be removed because doing so would breach our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, may be granted shorter more restrictive leave, subject to regular review, until they can be removed at the earliest opportunity. They may also have conditions placed on residence, employment and study and be required to report until they can be removed.

The UK can also sanction individuals for human rights abuses using powers in the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.

For those foreign nationals who have gained British citizenship, Section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981 provides for the deprivation of that citizenship where it is conducive to the public good, and would not make an individual stateless. Deprivation of citizenship where it is conducive to the public good is taken where it is in the public interest on the grounds of involvement in terrorism, espionage, serious and organised crime, war crimes or unacceptable behaviour. Unacceptable behaviour could include activity such as inciting terrorist acts.