Assad opponents have ‘no excuse’ to remain in Britain, former UK ambassador to Syria claims – ‘They must be encouraged to leave’

Britain’s former Ambassador in Damascus has called for Syrian refugees in the UK to be “actively encouraged to leave” following the collapse of the Assad regime.

Speaking to GB News, Peter Ford said there was “no further justification” for Syrian refugees to remain in Britain now that Assad has been removed from power.

The diplomat argued that many of those who fled to the UK had been sympathisers with the opposition to Assad, stating: “Now they’ve got their way: Assad, with our help, has been removed. They have no excuse to be in this country anymore.”

Ford claimed that Syrian refugees in Britain fell into two main categories.

“Either they have been sympathisers with the jihadis, and therefore they got into the crosshairs of the Assad government, or they’ve been chances, economic refugees, pretending to be fleeing from Assad,” he said.

The former ambassador expressed particular concern about potential terrorist connections.

“Some of the people that they’ve been tied with turn out to be terrorists. Therefore, the sooner we get shot of them, the better,” he told GB News.

He added that while some new refugees might be Christians fleeing the “new jihadi rulers in Damascus,” these would likely be small numbers.

Ford advocated for a “nudging” approach to encourage Syrian refugees to leave the UK.

“The law is the law. And if, under British law, once you’re in you get five years guarantee, well, that’s the law,” he said.

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However, he suggested Sir Keir Starmer’s Government should use “encouragement, advocacy, nudging” to make Britain less welcoming for Syrian refugees.

The former ambassador pointed to Germany’s approach as a model to follow.

“I think the Germans are on the right track. I think they’re offering something like 1000 euros to get people off their backs,” he said.

“The problem is much worse for the Germans of course but we should be following, too.”

The Home Office has confirmed it has paused decisions on Syrian asylum cases while assessing the current situation.

Confirming the decision, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We know that the situation in Syria is moving extremely fast. After the fall of the Assad regime, we have seen some people returning to Syria.

“But we also have a very fast moving situation that we need to closely monitor. And that is why, like Germany, like France, and like other countries, we have paused asylum decisions on cases from Syria while the Home Office reviews and monitors the current situation.”