Kemi Badenoch Accuses UK Church Leaders of ‘Naivety’ in Exploiting Asylum System, Calls for Major Reform
In a stark condemnation that has reignited tensions over immigration policies, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has sharply criticized UK vicars, accusing them of being “naive” in enabling asylum seekers to exploit religious conversions as a tactic to avoid deportation. Speaking at a conservative convention in the United States, Badenoch pointed to a high-profile case where an Iranian-born migrant, who had converted to Christianity, successfully evaded deportation by claiming religious persecution—only to later commit a series of sexual assaults and a chemical attack.
Badenoch’s comments have stirred considerable controversy, with the MP stating, “It turns out that over many years, we have had very naive church leaders converting people who had no interest in Christianity as a means to circumvent border control.” She voiced her belief that the liberal system had been “hacked,” lamenting the abuse of accommodations meant for the vulnerable. “When a system that has accommodations made for the vulnerable is being exploited by opponents of that system, something needs to change,” Badenoch argued.
Her comments come amid a growing debate over the role of religion in the asylum process, particularly in relation to migrants converting to Christianity. The Home Secretary had previously ordered an investigation into asylum cases involving religious conversions, especially following reports of migrants aboard the Bibby Stockholm barge being baptised. MPs have raised concerns about asylum seekers from predominantly Muslim countries converting to Christianity solely to bolster their claims of persecution in their home countries.
Church leaders, however, have fiercely defended their actions. The Archbishop of Canterbury, after Prime Minister’s Questions, issued a statement rejecting what he called a “mischaracterisation” of the Church’s role in asylum cases. He emphasized that it was the government’s duty to protect borders and the courts’ responsibility to judge asylum cases, while the Church was dedicated to showing love, mercy, and justice. “Let us not forget that at the heart of this conversation are vulnerable people whose lives are precious in the sight of God,” he said.
Badenoch, however, doubled down on her criticisms, arguing that liberal ideologies had undermined the integrity of the immigration system. “Liberalism has been hacked,” she said. “These aren’t features of the system, they are bugs and they need fixing.” Her calls for reform echoed concerns raised by many of her party’s supporters, who feel that immigration policies are being manipulated at the expense of national security and public trust.
The ongoing dispute has also shed light on broader ideological rifts, with Badenoch drawing comparisons to Argentine President Javier Milei. She expressed admiration for his critique of socialist ideologies, endorsing his belief that leftist policies are attempting to regulate not just the economy but all aspects of people’s lives. “He is absolutely right,” Badenoch stated, aligning herself with Milei’s vision of dismantling what she views as an overreaching liberal agenda.
As the debate intensifies, it seems clear that the issue of asylum seekers and religious conversion will continue to be a lightning rod for both political and theological clashes in the UK. With tensions rising, the call for systemic reform, as voiced by Badenoch, is set to dominate political discourse in the lead-up to the next election.
