Sexuality should not be a route to asylum in the UK, says Robert Jenrick | LBC

The Reform UK MP said if we accepted asylum claims based on sexuality, "we would be opening ourselves up to hundreds of millions of people coming here"

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Robert Jenrick has said the threat of persecution for one's sexuality should not be a route to asylum in the UK.

The Reform UK member responded to recent reporting that exposed asylum seekers falsely using the claim of sexuality as a reason to remain in the country.

Mr Jenrick said they have known about the exploitation of this asylum route "for years", and called for the practise "to come to an end".

Speaking to LBC's Tom Swarbrick at Drive, Mr Jenrick revealed how Reform UK would bring an end to the misuse of the asylum route.

"It needs to come to an end," he said. "And reform has a very simple solution to that.

"If you come here illegally, you will never be able to claim asylum, and you'll be detained and deported, that will end this problem once and for all."

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'What if I came on a student visa and claimed asylum because I'm gay and need refuge in the UK?' @TomSwarbrick1 pushes Reform's @RobertJenrick on the party's asylum policy. pic.twitter.com/FHas9yGqDE— LBC (@LBC) April 16, 2026

'What if I came on a student visa and claimed asylum because I'm gay and need refuge in the UK?' @TomSwarbrick1 pushes Reform's @RobertJenrick on the party's asylum policy. pic.twitter.com/FHas9yGqDE

The UK's asylum process offers protection to people who can't return to their home countries because they would be in danger, for example in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh where gay sex is illegal.

Mr Jenrick said under a Reform government, an asylum seeker would not be able to use the reason of their sexuality to stay in the country.

He continued: "If you come here to study, you can't convert that into an asylum application.

"That is obviously just an attempt to frustrate the system and remain in the United Kingdom.

"The public is sick of this. It's a joke.

"People are just exploiting the system by different ways to stay in the United Kingdom, and that has to come to an end, or otherwise it's going to test the patience of the British public.

"[It] already has. It's tested it to breaking point.

"And it's only a Reform government that would be very clear that in these circumstances, you cannot remain in the UK, you can't claim asylum, and you have to leave."

He added: "There are millions of people around the world who are persecuted or treated badly as a result of their sexuality, perhaps hundreds of millions of people around the world, and we should all have sympathy for those people.

"We all want those countries to adopt the values that the UK has, but it cannot be a route to asylum in the UK, or else we would be opening ourselves up to hundreds of millions of people coming here."

The government announced it has launched an investigation into the reports that migrants are being advised to make false claims in order to remain in the UK.

Downing Street branded the reported actions as “shameful”.

Asked about the reports, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Both the Home Office and Immigration Advice Authority are investigating the claims made by the BBC, both yesterday and today, to ensure anyone potentially abusing our immigration system is held accountable.

“Any attempt to misuse protections designed to protect genuine victims from the devastation of domestic abuse is shameful and completely unacceptable.

“The Home Secretary has been clear that those trying to defraud the British people to remain in the UK will have their application refused and find themselves on a one-way flight out of Britain.

“Where unethical and illegal practices are identified and evidence exists, legal practitioners will be referred to the police through the relevant regulatory body.”