Overview
- In her first Lords speech since being nominated, Mullally addressed the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill during its report stage on November 12.
- She criticised amendment 79E, which would prevent claimants from citing religious persecution if their conversion occurred after arriving in the UK.
- Mullally said the Home Office has not produced evidence that fake conversions are being used to game the asylum system.
- Arguing many face danger in their homelands, she said genuine converts may wait to declare faith publicly in the UK and stressed clergy are trained to assess sincerity, not asylum claims.
- Peers including Baroness Maclean voiced concerns about exploitation and ministers noted conversion alone does not secure refugee status, as debate over the measure continues in Parliament.