TORY leader Kemi Badenoch poses with Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge in an armoured vehicle after their party warned that war in Iran will spark a new wave of small boat crossings.
The Conservatives said instability in the Middle East could push more migrants towards Europe — with fears some could pretend to be Iranian to boost their chances of securing asylum in Britain.
Iran is one of the biggest sources of asylum claims in the UK, with 7,419 applications last year.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told The Sun: “Many illegal immigrants in France will try to cross and pretend to be Iranian, thinking it will increase their chances of getting asylum.
“The Government needs to start deporting all illegal immigrants.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We are closely monitoring the fast-moving situation in Iran.”
Ms Badenoch’s photo op, at the Stockport HQ of defence contractor KNDS, echoed Margaret Thatcher’s tank ride in Germany in 1986, long seen as a show of Tory support for the Armed Forces.
Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organization for Migration, warned that if the fighting continues “we will start to see people moving”.
She told the FT European leaders were keen to adopt “a much more comprehensive approach early on” and avoid a repeat of the 2015-16 crisis.
