Woolas accused of stoking ethnic fire

Local Government Minister Phil Woolas

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas has been accused of peddling fear and scapegoating asylum seekers.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg made the claims as he said Britain has lost the moral authority on human rights.

In a speech to Amnesty International to mark Human Rights Day, Mr Clegg warned Britain is fast developing a two-tier human rights regime as foreign nationals are targeted first for draconian schemes like ID cards.

Mr Clegg said the Government was pandering to the right on immigration which risks stoking the fire of ethnic tensions.

He then attacked the Milnrow & Newhey MP, who took over as Immigration Minister in October.

Mr Clegg said: “All of us have had our rights come under attack, but no-one has suffered more than foreigners in this country.

“Britain is fast developing a two-tier rights regime.

“We have already seen the Immigration Minister swerving to the right in preparation for the next election, peddling fear and scapegoating asylum seekers for Britain’s ills.

“What does this Government think is going to happen to the already delicate ethnic tensions as we spiral further into economic downturn?

“When more jobs go, and frustrations are at a high, why are they stoking this fire?

“What makes it even worse is that this is an area where the Conservatives simply won’t be outflanked.

“My concern is that this marks the start of a kind of downward bidding — ‘we’ll let in fewer than you will’ — we can’t let this happen.

Instead, Mr Clegg called for a responsible, mature debate on immigration which recognised the contribution legal immigrants make to the economy.

He added: “Human rights are not something you pick up one day and put down the next. They are the unwavering, unshakeable commitment to the dignity of people. They are the principles by which we can call ourselves civilised.”