Patel and Braverman accused of denying trafficking victims leave to remain in UK

Delays left asylum seekers in limbo, unable to access the right to work, study or claim benefits, hearing told

The former home secretaries Priti Patel and Suella Braverman have been accused of operating a secret policy to deny 1,600 victims of trafficking leave to remain in the UK, despite a court ruling that they were entitled to stay.

A landmark high court ruling in November 2021 concluded confirmed victims of trafficking who had claimed asylum and were waiting for a decision should be automatically given permission to stay in the UK, known as discretionary leave.