Court blow to British asylum policy

BRITISH Home Secretary David Blunkett yesterday lost his appeal against High Court rulings that he had unlawfully refused accommodation to three destitute asylum seekers and therefore violated their human rights.

Hundreds of other similar cases had been awaiting new guidelines after three Law Lords ruled against Mr Blunkett in a 2-1 decision.

The test cases, involving Wayoka Limbuela, Binyam Tefera Tesema and Yusif Adam, follow several clashes involving Mr Blunkett and members of the judiciary over laws aimed at discouraging applicants from making late asylum claims.