By|Dayo Ade Olusola|M10News Political Desk|
A rising Conservative MP has drawn sharp criticism after suggesting that thousands of legally settled immigrants in the UK should be deported to maintain what she described as a “mostly culturally coherent” society.
Katie Lam, a Home Office shadow minister and party whip, made the controversial remarks in an interview with The Sunday Times, saying that some people who came to the UK legally “shouldn’t have been able to do so” and would “need to go home.”
Her comments have triggered outrage across the political spectrum, with Labour calling on the Conservatives to clarify whether the party intends to revoke indefinite leave to remain for long-term UK residents.
A Labour spokesperson said: “This proposal is deeply troubling. The Conservatives must urgently explain whether they are planning to strip settled families of their right to live in this country and if so, on what basis.”
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, is now under pressure to distance herself from Lam’s remarks, with MPs urging her to condemn the statement and reassure immigrant communities of their security in the UK.
The Conservative Party has yet to provide details on how such a policy would work, including which benefits could lead to the loss of indefinite leave to remain and whether families might face separation.
Lam said: “It’s not the fault of the individuals who came here; they just shouldn’t have been able to do so.” She added that her vision would leave “a mostly but not entirely culturally coherent group of people.”
The remarks have reignited debate over immigration policy within the Conservative Party, where tensions remain between hardline members pushing for stricter border control and moderates advocating for pragmatic immigration reform.
Human rights groups and legal experts have warned that deporting people with settled status would violate international law and could create humanitarian crises similar to the Windrush scandal.
Lam’s comments have also sparked anger among UK residents with indefinite leave to remain, many of whom contribute to key sectors such as health care, education, and technology.
Campaigners have urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the rights of legal residents, warning that inflammatory rhetoric risks dividing communities and fuelling xenophobia.
The Conservative Party has not yet commented further on whether disciplinary action will be taken against Lam or whether her views reflect wider party policy.
Editing by M10News Political Desk | Contact: politics@m10news.com
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