Safe haven, but not safe enough
Monday, November 27th, 2006The murder of Alexander Litvinenko is indeed murky. My son, who is studying Russian at university, tells me that two years ago he invited Mr Litvinenko to be a guest at the school’s Slav Society. What he remembers most about the visit was the passionate attachment which the former Russian spy had for this country, and his gratitude at being allowed to live here. He said he flew a Union flag outside his house.
We have a proud tradition of giving asylum to people whose lives are at risk in their home countries. It is light years away from the bureaucratic confusions that surround economic migrants versus genuine asylum seekers. In the public’s mind there is a clear distinction which in recent years has been muddied by the failure of this Government to deal with the flagrant abuses in the current system.