Darren Jones

Yes that's why we shouldn't cheer on the lies.

‘The truth’ is as prone to abuse as compassion though.

I think telling the truth is more important than compassion. Terrible things have been done under the 'cover' of kindness. The idea of compassion can be a form of dogma.

What isn't?

No it isn't. Terrible things have happened in the name of kindness.

The important thing is that everyone can believe what people say is true, which we can't, as people lie for political reasons.

All the lies told by (for example) the Nazi regime about the children in One Life, for instance, show that the important thing is compassion, not dogma.

The difference is that Jones has subsequently clarified what he meant and admitted he was wrong to mislead. Yusuf hasn’t.

Both Jones and Yusuf were wrong and high time they both learned what the figures are.

Or it might be that I foolishly expect higher standards from labour.

Where was Darren Jones evidence? I could say all sorts of things that I have seen that might be true. That sort of behaviour will as I say hand power to Reform.

I can see the argument.

It is not clear what Jones was referring to. Unlike the OP, I did watch the programme.

Yusuf was lying too but I don't see anyone other than me calling him out.

This is from Migration Observatory:

migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/people-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats/

The majority of those arriving in small boats are men. In the year to 31 March 2024, 75% (22,357) were male and aged 18 or over (excluding those of unknown age or sex).

Another 16% (4,630) of arrivals in the same period were children (under 18). These proportions have been stable over time, and similar to those observed in asylum applicants more broadly (72% and 19%, respectively, in the year to March 2024).

One reason for the higher share of men among asylum seekers, in general, is the danger associated with irregular migration journeys. In many cases, female and minor family members join later through family reunification routes.

Most people who cross the Channel in small boats claim asylum once they are in the UK. According to the Home Office, 93% (109,954) of all those crossing the Channel from 2018 to March 2024 either applied for asylum themselves or were named as a dependant (partner or child) on an application.

Zia Yusuf claimed on BBCQT that 90% of arrivals are adult males. Where was his evidence?

There is a humanitarian response, as they are housed at great expense in hotels, something no other country does for asylum seekers as far as I’m aware, and they can stay until their asylum requests are processed .
I don’t know what he saw or didn’t see but he knows the numbers full well.Few are women or children according to the numbers which is what the OP was highlighting.

Oreo

Why does he believe it to be true when it clearly isn’t?
It’s long been known to arriving asylum seekers that claiming to be underage is better for their cause so of course they use it if they can.I have read of several cases in the past.
Be that as it may tho, there is no truth in what Jones has claimed.

Sorry, but can you verify any of this?

There can be to's and fro's about who thinks what, and whether one POV is more valuable or less biased than another, but the reality is that some things are true and others aren't.

I ask again - if you were leaving a dangerous situation, who in your family would you send first, assuming that they would have to travel on an expensive and dangerous route, and that you couldn't afford to send everyone?

His lies are good lies.

Yes, the majority are men but that means that there are women and children too and that is the point.

At the risk of repeating myself, we do not know what Jones saw that day.

He saw first hand the human tragedy of this and that is what he was asking for. A humanitarian response.

I don’t think we need to have a pro/anti asylum seekers debate on this as it’s really a matter of truth and why it matters.
Someone in his position should know and must know that what he said was wrong.And yes it does matter IMO.

You just out the blue (purple?) touch paper Silverbrooks!

Err, excuse me but there isn’t any hatred on here, Reform driven or otherwise.
Of course asylum seekers should be, and are, given the chance to prove themselves for asylum.
It doesn’t change the fact that what Jones said was simply wrong.The majority of boat arrivals are actually men.

If you don't care about people telling the truth or not you will hand victory to Reform. But carry on.

As I pointed out, Jones may have been speaking of what he saw that day. Yusuf was deliberately lying.

I don't really care what the numbers are. Nobody should be refused safe haven. All arrivals have a right to have their claims for asylum assessed.

We have almost 13,000 towns and cities in England and Wales and a millions home standing empty that could be brought back in use.

Even if the same number of people arrive this year as the record under the Tories in 2022, that's fewer than four people per town. There is room.

Yusuf''s family came here to escape a country torn by civil war. That he doesn't want to afford the same protection to others is callous.

Lets stop all this Reform-driven hatred.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yq1g0x404o.amp

Me neither 😃

Oh yes I generally don't give two hoots about what people believe to be true.

True, but very worrying if someone in Jones’ position doesn’t know the actual truth.