This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7778688.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Smith warns over Zimbabwe influx | Smith warns over Zimbabwe influx |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has warned the cabinet of a possible mass influx of Zimbabweans to the UK amid the country's cholera outbreak. | |
She said some people were obtaining fake passports from neighbouring countries where, unlike Zimbabwe, citizens did not need UK entry visas. | She said some people were obtaining fake passports from neighbouring countries where, unlike Zimbabwe, citizens did not need UK entry visas. |
But some Foreign Office sources have dismissed her words as alarmist, BBC political editor Nick Robinson said. | But some Foreign Office sources have dismissed her words as alarmist, BBC political editor Nick Robinson said. |
The Zimbabwe crisis was creating "real tension in Whitehall", he added. | |
More than 700 people are said to have died in Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak so far. There's also a debate going on about what to do about thousands of Zimbabweans who are in limbo here class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/">Read Nick Robinson's blog | |
Ms Smith is thought to have told cabinet colleagues that people fleeing Zimbabwe had bought false passports in countries such as South Africa and Botswana. | Ms Smith is thought to have told cabinet colleagues that people fleeing Zimbabwe had bought false passports in countries such as South Africa and Botswana. |
But asked whether the situation in Zimbabwe could lead to a refugee crisis in the UK, Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch Brown said: "I think crisis is too strong a word for it. | But asked whether the situation in Zimbabwe could lead to a refugee crisis in the UK, Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch Brown said: "I think crisis is too strong a word for it. |
"[Jacqui Smith] wants to make sure that her border agency is properly prepared for this. | |
"She briefed the cabinet on that way, prior to a longer discussion on Zimbabwe." | "She briefed the cabinet on that way, prior to a longer discussion on Zimbabwe." |
Changes | Changes |
At the moment Zimbabweans arriving in the UK need a visa, while many travelling from the rest of southern Africa do not. | At the moment Zimbabweans arriving in the UK need a visa, while many travelling from the rest of southern Africa do not. |
Ms Smith wants that to change that, having been told that a growing number of refugees are entering the UK using false papers. | Ms Smith wants that to change that, having been told that a growing number of refugees are entering the UK using false papers. |
Our correspondent said: "Some in the Foreign Office regard [talk of a possible influx of refugees] as an attempt to justify tougher border controls to make it even harder for refugees to make it to the UK from Zimbabwe. | |
"The Home Office wants to see the introduction of visa restrictions for all countries in the region, the Foreign Office does not." | |
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said on Thursday that the cholera outbreak had been contained. | Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said on Thursday that the cholera outbreak had been contained. |
However, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the toll from the disease had risen to 783 and that 16,403 people were believed to have been infected. | However, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the toll from the disease had risen to 783 and that 16,403 people were believed to have been infected. |
Save the Children in Harare said these figures were an underestimate and the epidemic was almost certainly worsening. | Save the Children in Harare said these figures were an underestimate and the epidemic was almost certainly worsening. |