Downing Street investigates national roll out of illegal immigrant poster campaign
Downing Street has scotched criticisms of an illegal immigrant poster campaign, designed to encourage people to go home voluntarily, by saying it is ‘already working’ and suggesting that it could be rolled out nationwide.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister hailed a pilot campaign in several London boroughs as a success after vans were dispatched on the streets bearing the message ‘go home or face arrest’.
The Home Office said there had been ‘a great deal of interest’ from illegal immigrants phoning the helpline to seek assistance in returning home, although the full results have still to be collated.
Despite this apparent success Lib Dem members of the coalition have publicly rubbished the campaign with
business secretary Vince Cable calling it ‘stupid and offensive’.
Asked whether they concurred with this view David Cameron’s spokesperson said: “No is the short answer. This pilot is about targeting people who are here illegally and giving them the opportunity to leave the country voluntarily rather than be arrested, detained and removed.
“We know that voluntary returns are the most cost-effective way of removing illegal immigrants. If you talk to the Home Office they can tell you that they’ve had a great deal of interest and they are looking at seeing which inquiries they can take forward."