London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

UK Home secretary dubbed 'Pol Pot Patel' after reports suggest she wants immunity for Border Force over possible migrant deaths

UK Home secretary dubbed 'Pol Pot Patel' after reports suggest she wants immunity for Border Force over possible migrant deaths

The UK home secretary has come under fire after it was reported that she is seeking to grant immunity to Border Force staff who “push back” migrant boats in the English Channel as part of a government plan to stem migratory flows.

Home Secretary Priti Patel wants to bring in new measures to ensure Border Force staff would not face prosecution in the event of illegal migrants dying, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The paper cited sources claiming that the protection could be implemented as part of the Nationality and Borders Bill, which is currently at committee phase. The move would support border officers in the event that the government brings forward plans to push migrant boats back from UK waters.

The provision may be called upon should a migrant drown as a result of a pushback – but whether it would stand up in court against international maritime laws remains to be seen.

Patel has faced severe criticism in recent months, including from the likes of Brexiteer Nigel Farage, due to a record rise in the number of migrants reaching British shores. More than 17,000 have reached the UK this year, over double the number of crossings in 2020.

The latest report move has done nothing for Patel’s image in the eyes of those who see her as unsympathetic and cruel when it comes to dealing with the migrant issue – a persona that was crystalised by satirical puppet show ‘Spitting Image’, in which Patel is portrayed as a vampire.

On Twitter, Patel was slammed as “Pol Pot Patel,” a reference to the Cambodian revolutionary leader whose genocidal regime instigated mass violence, killing somewhere between 1.5 and 3 million people in the 1970s.

“Pure evil. It is the most inhumane provision introduced by a U.K. government in modern history. #PolPotPatel” one person wrote, adding that those dying from the government’s potential pushback initiative could include children.


Another person asked whether the current British government had any respect for human life, while one wrote ironically: “Nice to see that crimes against humanity haven’t gone out of style in her book,” and asked whether Patel would need a visa to visit the International Criminal Court at The Hague.

One person claimed that giving state agents blanket legal immunity from prosecution would be abused. “What next? Immunity for police who kill? The historical precedents are terrifying,” they suggested.


Another simply shared a photo of Patel in a James Bond-esque image. The caption reads, “Priti Patel in Licencing to Kill.”


Green Party leader Caroline Lucas didn’t go as far to use the trending hashtag #PolPotPatel, but called the move “vile.”


There was some positive reaction to the reported plans, however, with people saying it was “about time” the government got serious about the issue. “You wanted her to be tough,” another person added.

The government has said the controversial bill aims to make the migration system fairer and deter illegal migration, with those reaching the UK facing prison time of up to four years.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×