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Conservative MP admits dental checks for refugees was not existing policy Conservative MP admits dental checks for refugees was not existing policy
(35 minutes later)
The Conservative MP who demanded child refugees be subjected to dental examinations to establish their age has conceded that his intervention was based on a complete misunderstanding of existing government policy.The Conservative MP who demanded child refugees be subjected to dental examinations to establish their age has conceded that his intervention was based on a complete misunderstanding of existing government policy.
David TC Davies, the MP for Monmouth, claimed that the UK authorities were already using dental checks to determine the age of child refugees. However, it turned out that it is in fact an option open to refugees who are contesting decisions about their age to submit dental or x-ray evidence, which may or may not be accepted.David TC Davies, the MP for Monmouth, claimed that the UK authorities were already using dental checks to determine the age of child refugees. However, it turned out that it is in fact an option open to refugees who are contesting decisions about their age to submit dental or x-ray evidence, which may or may not be accepted.
Davies conceded that “could be right” in an interview with the Guardian, in which he rejected the claims of those who have said forcing medical checks on child refugees is unethical and intrusive.Davies conceded that “could be right” in an interview with the Guardian, in which he rejected the claims of those who have said forcing medical checks on child refugees is unethical and intrusive.
“Should I try and say, ‘If dental tests are causing an issue and the wrist test is accurate, let’s go with the wrist one’? I don’t really mind,” he said. “Should I try and say, ‘If dental tests are causing an issue, and the wrist test is accurate, let’s go with the wrist one’? I don’t really mind,” he said.
“I can’t really see the analogy with slavery or concentration camps – but if that is the main sticking point here, fine, let’s do wrists. I don’t mind me being tested, by the way. No no no. Bring it on. If someone thinks this is outrageous, well, I’ll be the first to volunteer. Come and x-ray my wrist. Have a look at my teeth. People are saying this is a really intrusive thing to do – well I don’t feel intruded upon. What’s the problem?”“I can’t really see the analogy with slavery or concentration camps – but if that is the main sticking point here, fine, let’s do wrists. I don’t mind me being tested, by the way. No no no. Bring it on. If someone thinks this is outrageous, well, I’ll be the first to volunteer. Come and x-ray my wrist. Have a look at my teeth. People are saying this is a really intrusive thing to do – well I don’t feel intruded upon. What’s the problem?”
It comes as the Refugee Children’s Consortium, a coalition of more than 50 charities and groups, issued a statement calling on newspapers to stop showing the pictures of child refugees, warning it could put them in danger.It comes as the Refugee Children’s Consortium, a coalition of more than 50 charities and groups, issued a statement calling on newspapers to stop showing the pictures of child refugees, warning it could put them in danger.
“We are deeply concerned at the lack of regard for the safety of these young people, with some publications revealing the locations of migrant children, showing photographs of their faces and publishing personal details about them and their families,” they said.“We are deeply concerned at the lack of regard for the safety of these young people, with some publications revealing the locations of migrant children, showing photographs of their faces and publishing personal details about them and their families,” they said.
“The incendiary language used to describe these individual young people, as well as deliberate questioning of their true ages without due care to their safety or lawful processes, has the very real potential to expose these children to abuse, racism and hate crimes whilst in the UK.”“The incendiary language used to describe these individual young people, as well as deliberate questioning of their true ages without due care to their safety or lawful processes, has the very real potential to expose these children to abuse, racism and hate crimes whilst in the UK.”
Ecpat UK, a charity working against child trafficking, has also launched a petition calling on the editors of the Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mail and Daily Express to “stop revealing the identities of children from Calais”.Ecpat UK, a charity working against child trafficking, has also launched a petition calling on the editors of the Sun, Daily Star, Daily Mail and Daily Express to “stop revealing the identities of children from Calais”.
The issue of the age of refugees has blown into a huge controversy in recent days, with a number of rightwing newspapers supporting the position of Davies. However, opposition MPs have questioned the ethics of intrusive age verification, and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has accused those calling for checks “hideously racist and heartless”. The issue of the age of refugees has blown into a huge controversy in recent days, with a number of rightwing newspapers supporting the position of Davies. However, opposition MPs have questioned the ethics of intrusive age verification, and the Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has accused those calling for checks “hideously racist and heartless”.
Philip Davies, another Tory backbencher, was granted an urgent question about age checks on child refugees in the House of Commons on Friday, arguing that ministers needed to get a grip on the issue to stop “irreparable damage to public confidence in the asylum system”.Philip Davies, another Tory backbencher, was granted an urgent question about age checks on child refugees in the House of Commons on Friday, arguing that ministers needed to get a grip on the issue to stop “irreparable damage to public confidence in the asylum system”.
“We agreed to take in child refugees and surely it’s not too much to ask of the government to ensure that they are children and clearly this is not the case,” he said. “People only have to see the pictures of the so-called child refugees to see that many of them are not children.“We agreed to take in child refugees and surely it’s not too much to ask of the government to ensure that they are children and clearly this is not the case,” he said. “People only have to see the pictures of the so-called child refugees to see that many of them are not children.
“A large number of my constituents have contacted me to say how angry they are that we are being taken for fools, taken for a ride and our generosity is being abused.”“A large number of my constituents have contacted me to say how angry they are that we are being taken for fools, taken for a ride and our generosity is being abused.”
But Robert Goodwill, an immigration minister, ruled out medical or dental evidence as a way of determining age. He told MPs that there are already checks and assessments to make sure child refugees coming to the UK from the Calais camp are under 18, with about 10% of all cases refused.But Robert Goodwill, an immigration minister, ruled out medical or dental evidence as a way of determining age. He told MPs that there are already checks and assessments to make sure child refugees coming to the UK from the Calais camp are under 18, with about 10% of all cases refused.
“Where credible and clear documentary evidence of age is not available, and the pace at which these children have fled situations of war and persecution mean that many do not have any definitive documentary evidence, then we will use criteria including physical appearance and demeanour to assess age as part of the interview process.”“Where credible and clear documentary evidence of age is not available, and the pace at which these children have fled situations of war and persecution mean that many do not have any definitive documentary evidence, then we will use criteria including physical appearance and demeanour to assess age as part of the interview process.”
He said if there were concerns once the child was in the UK then there can be a 28-day checking process carried out by social services. Children under the age of 13, and the most vulnerable, are being prioritised as they come to the UK to be with their families, Goodwill said.He said if there were concerns once the child was in the UK then there can be a 28-day checking process carried out by social services. Children under the age of 13, and the most vulnerable, are being prioritised as they come to the UK to be with their families, Goodwill said.