Tony Blair's Government Considered 'Nuclear Option' to Deter Asylum Seekers

Proposals included setting up a detention camp on the Isle of Mull and creating 'safe havens' in third countries, according to newly released files.

Newly released files reveal that Tony Blair's government considered setting up a detention camp on the Isle of Mull to deter asylum seekers from entering the UK.
The plan, referred to as the 'nuclear option', also proposed creating 'safe havens' in third countries for refugees who could not be returned to their own countries.
The government also considered denouncing the European Convention on Human Rights to allow for the removal of people despite the risk of persecution.
The proposals reflect Blair's frustration with the high number of asylum claims, which reached a new monthly high of 8,800 in October 2002.
The discussions draw parallels with current PM Rishi Sunak's controversial plans to deport people to Rwanda.