Tory immigration rebels received services from pro-migration lawyers

Three Conservative MPs who have criticised aspects of the Government’s asylum policy have received services from a pro-migration policy group, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

The trio are among half a dozen MPs who received more than £160,000 in services and research support from the Refugee, Asylum and Migration Policy (RAMP) project over the past 18 months.

RAMP was set up by an organisation called the Good Faith Partnership with a remit to promote a “world-class migration system, which helps to create a successful and integrated society” that is “fair to all”.

The Good Faith Partnership is led by David Barclay, who is described as working “on projects ranging from increasing the provision of affordable credit to supporting cities [to] become more inclusive of migrants and refugees”.

On its website, RAMP says it is also supported by “Fragomen LLP, the largest immigration law firm in the world, who provide legal advice, and training opportunities to our advisers and parliamentarians”.

In a written evidence submission, the law firm warned the Home Office that its e-gates system “risks the creation of a cohort of European Economic Area nationals, who establish a long-term presence in the UK without having a corresponding right to reside”. 

It also questioned the implications of Donald Trump’s visa policies and was critical of proposals to use “untested technology” to police the Northern Ireland border after Brexit.

Support from RAMP

Caroline Nokes, the Tory chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, has declared £52,390 in research and policy adviser support from RAMP since November 2021.

She abstained on the Illegal Migration Bill last month and gave an interview criticising the legislation at the time of the Commons vote.

David Simmonds, another Conservative MP, has received the services of a policy adviser from RAMP. 

He was among a group of Tory MPs who put pressure on the Government over the Nationality and Borders Bill by signing a letter urging ministers to extend the right to work to those seeking asylum.

Mr Simmonds told the Telegraph: “The research support from RAMP helps me to argue for robust and effective asylum policies, for which I have campaigned for many years prior to being elected as an MP.”

Simon Fell, the third Tory MP - who also received the services of a policy adviser - has supported the Government’s immigration plans, but also called for more leniency on asylum seekers working.

Last year, he said: “There are two issues at play here: the enormous backlog of cases that the Home Office is impotent to process and the age decisions appear to take… it seems ridiculous that we can’t harness the talents of people who have high skills, want to come here and work, earn and pay tax.”

In a comment, RAMP said: “We are not asylum activists - we do not pursue any particular campaigns. RAMP supports parliamentarians with research in areas of immigration policy they are most interested in.”

Ms Nokes, Mr Fell and Fragomen LLP were all contacted for comment.