Angus Robertson slams 'inflammatory' Priti Patel immigration speech

The Home Office has been invited to urgent talks to ensure "there is no repetition of the events at Kenmure Street" earlier this month, when a return to so-called dawn raids provoked a massive community response.

According to Police Scotland estimates, around 500 people surrounded the Home Office van sent to take two men from their Glasgow home.

Sumit Sehdev and Lakhvir Singh were released after eight hours and have now enlisted solicitors as they challenge moves to deport them to India.

The men, a chef and a mechanic, have lived in Scotland for around a decade and supporters in the Pollokshields street chanted "let them go" in an event that brought fresh scrutiny to the UK's immigration regime.

In a speech earlier this week, Home Secretary Patel issued a warning to "those who seek to disrupt our enforcement officers", linking those raids to the deportation of serious criminals.

READ MORE: Priti Patel issues warning after Kenmure Street protest in Glasgow

There has been no suggestion that the Kenmure Street men are guilty of significant offences.

But Patel said: "I have a message to those who seek to disrupt our enforcement officers – they should think about whether their actions may be preventing murderers, rapists, high-harm offenders from being removed from our communities and they should think long and hard about the victims of these crimes.

"We will not allow such disruption to prevail."

Now Angus Robertson, Scotland's new Constitution and External Affairs Secretary, has invited Patel to open urgent discussions over a "a more humane approach to immigration enforcement".

In his letter, Robertson called for a new process which "reflects the views and values of Scottish communities and does not involve the heavy-handed approach of raids which are disruptive to our communities, are inherently divisive, risk public health and take up valuable police resources".

The letter states: "Any enforcement procedures in Scotland must be carried out with due regard to the safety of our communities and be aligned to our values of dignity, fairness and respect."

READ MORE: REVEALED: The Glasgow dawn raid the public did not witness

Robertson says the raid, carried out on Eid in an area home to a high proportion of Muslim residents, "failed that test" of showing "due regard to the safety of our communities" and being "aligned to our values of dignity, fairness and respect".

In her Monday speech, Patel said responsibility for immigration lies with Westminster - which has accused Scottish politicians of whipping-up opposition to its actions.

But the Edinburgh Central MSP said the Home Office move had "created an unnecessary situation requiring a significant police presence to ensure public safety" on May 13.

He went on: "I don’t consider inflammatory and divisive rhetoric suggesting that those taking action are protecting murderers, rapists and high profile offenders is helpful.   

"We both know that it is inaccurate to suggest that all those subject to immigration enforcement have been linked to criminality.

"Clearly there will be some cases where swift action needs to be taken to remove individuals who present a risk  but as the events at Kenmure Street showed, individuals facing deportation are often valued members of communities they have been part of for many years.

READ MORE: Fears for man held after 'secret' dawn raid as police stay silent

"Many of those subject to immigration enforcement have committed no crime and are no threat to the public, having simply exhausted their appeal rights.

"A more humane approach to immigration enforcement is required, one which reflects the views and values of Scottish communities and does not involve the heavy-handed approach of raids which are disruptive to our communities, are inherently divisive, risk public health and take up valuable police resources.

"I would welcome an urgent meeting to discuss how to ensure there is no repetition of the events at Kenmure Street in the future."