UK seeking offshore asylum centres: Reports

Controversial plan to overhaul asylum system set to be put forward next week attracts scorn of opposition, UN, experts.

The United Kingdom is planning to introduce legislation that would enable authorities to send asylum seekers abroad for processing in an Australian-style offshore centre, according to media reports. The Times newspaper reported on Monday that Home Secretary Priti Patel has opened talks with Denmark over sharing a processing centre in Africa as part of the plan. The reported proposal, which has been condemned by rights groups and opposition politicians, is expected to be put before Parliament next week as part the Conservative government’s Nationality and Borders Bill, which comes as the UK moves to overhaul its asylum laws.