Gay asylum group push for Iraqi protection

By Marc Shoffman • May 23, 2006 - 0:00

Liam Byrne was appointed immigration minister at the Home Office today

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The UK Lesbian Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) has reacted immediately to the replacement of immigration minister, Tony McNulty with Liam Byrne, by requesting an urgent review of the plight of lesbian and gay asylum seekers from Iraq.

The UKLGIG wrote to Mr Byrne, MP for Hodge Hill in Birmingham, asking him ensure that no Iraqi lesbian or gay asylum seeker be removed from the UK whilst the current situation persists and that the guidance it gives to its decision makers (known as Operational Guidance Notes) is updated to include details of the risks faced in Iraq by lesbians and gay men.

Previous investigations by gay groups such as Outrage have found cases of persecution and murder of gay people in Iraq.

UKLGIG chair, Ian Morton, said: "There have been so many changes in Home Office personnel, it is hard to keep up. It is our job, however, to make sure that any new Minister is aware from day one of the detail and urgency of the issues we have highlighted".

Tony McNulty, MP for Harrow East, who was allegedly heavily involved in recent immigration scandals, will takeover Mr Byrne's old job of police minister.

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