Bishop attacks immigrant policy

A senior Catholic bishop yesterday launched an attack on the Government over a "shameful" and "unjust" failure to regularise the position of thousands of long term illegal immigrants in the country.

The Bishop of Brentwood, the Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, called on Catholics to remain "resolute" and "steadfast" in backing a policy of a one-off amnesty for long-term illegal immigrants in the country.

The proposals put forward by the Strangers into Citizens campaign would mean irregular migrants who have lived and worked in the UK for four or more years would be granted a two-year work permit.

At the end of those two years, subject to employer and character references, they would be given leave to remain.

"For any Government to choose to do nothing about regularisation is irresponsible and leaves countless migrants vulnerable to exploitation and living in fear and in limbo," Bishop McMahon told a special Mass for migrants at Westminster Cathedral.

"They cannot work, they cannot claim benefit, they cannot get public housing. I can only describe it as shameful and unjust.

"Because of our common humanity and faith we all have a duty to speak out wherever injustice is found."

The Bishop, whose diocese includes east London and Essex, made his remarks in a sermon in front of a packed congregation at Westminster Cathedral in central London at a special Mass for migrant workers.