Burnham defends 'don’t rape women' migrant leaflets saying arrivals can have 'different societal norms'
The nine-page document, entitled “Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK”, was published on Wednesday and is intended to explain “what is expected of you when living in the UK”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has defended controversial Home Office guidance telling asylum seekers that rape and domestic abuse are serious crimes, saying some people arriving in Britain come from countries with “different societal norms”.
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Speaking exclusively to LBC's Political Editor Natasha Clark during his first foreign trip as Prime Minister, Mr Burnham said it was right for the Government to spell out British laws and expectations to people entering the country.
The nine-page Home Office document, entitled “Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK”, was published on Wednesday and is intended to explain “what is expected of you when living in the UK”.
It tells asylum seekers that rape, sex with someone under the age of 16 and domestic abuse are “serious crimes” which could result in prison, the loss of support and accommodation and could affect an asylum claim.
The guidance also includes sections on consent, gender equality and respecting other people in public, stressing that its rules “are not just for people seeking asylum, they apply to everyone living here”.
Asked by LBC if he was concerned about the message being sent by the guidance, Mr Burnham said: “The message that we're sending is quite a clear one. If you come to the UK and break the law, you will be removed.
“In those circumstances, it's right to leave people in no doubt about what UK law requires.”
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Pressed on whether it was an unusual position for the Government to be handing people advice explaining that rape and domestic abuse are crimes, Mr Burnham said: “They come from places sometimes that have different societal norms, so it's right for us to make it absolutely plain what the laws of the UK are and what the norms of the UK are.
“So that is what the Home Office is doing.”
The Prime Minister told LBC that he did not believe the practice was new, saying the Home Office had provided similar information “over many years”.
He said: “It's all about being explicitly clear about what we expect and what we will do if people don't follow those laws.”
The Home Office guidance states in a section entitled “sex and consent” that “consent is needed in every situation”, while another section says equal rights for men and women are “an important part of UK culture” and are protected by law.
It also tells asylum seekers to respect other people “even if you disagree with their beliefs or how they live”, and provides information for those affected by abuse.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We expect everyone who comes to the UK to abide by our laws. If they do not, they will face consequences, including the refusal of their asylum claim and removal from the UK.
“Returns of failed asylum seekers have reached their highest level since 2010 under this Government.”
The guidance has prompted criticism from opposition politicians.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the Government should be deporting people rather than attempting to “train” them how to behave towards women, while Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf described the document as a “disgrace”.