Jump directly to the content

AN asylum seeker claimed he converted to Christianity but only knew one of the Ten Commandments.

He also could not name where Jesus was born.

A fibbing asylum seeker's appeal to stay in the UK was thrown out
1
A fibbing asylum seeker's appeal to stay in the UK was thrown outCredit: PA

The Iranian, 42, whose name was not given, told immigration officials he was a practising Christian after his application for refugee status was rejected in 2019.

He appealed but a tribunal heard that in a religion test he did not know Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

It also emerged he did not attend church and had not been baptised.

The tribunal heard his solicitor “accepted in submissions that (the Christianity) aspect of the appellant’s claim was not the strongest”.

READ MORE ON IMMIGRATION

Judge Graeme Clarke made “damning credibility findings” and rejected his bid to stay.

In another case a Nigerian in his 60s said he would be persecuted for converting to Christianity if sent home.

But the man had “almost no knowledge” of Islam and lived in Lagos for years as a Christian. His appeal was rejected.

Last week Home Secretary James Cleverly told The Sun on Sunday it was time to “shine a light” on immigration tribunals which allowed asylum seekers to stay with no public record.

Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “These are two more examples of attempts to game the system.”

The Home Office declined to comment.

Rev Matthew Firth tells Home Affairs select committee he was brought groups of asylum seekers looking to convert to Christianity
Topics