Jenrick ‘snubs border controls meeting’ after row over ‘antisemitic’ report

The immigration minister Robert Jenrick has reportedly refused to meet the chief inspector of borders over claims he submitted a draft report that accused Israel of engaging in  “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.

Jenrick is claimed have snubbed a meeting with David Neal, the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, after an unpublished home office report on stateless individuals contained the claim.

Neal has subsequently insisted he did not write the section of the report containing the reference to “ethnic cleansing.”

The Telegraph reported that the reference in the report was actually picked up by home secretary Suella Braverman’s private office.

The newspaper said Braverman’s office “had concerns it was inappropriate and potentially antisemitic”.

The extract that sparked concerns includes a claim that Israel  deprives Palestinians in east Jerusalem of their IDs and residency rights, a situation that the academic said amounted to “administrative ‘ethnic cleansing’”.

After a meeting with civil servants, Neal has agreed to remove the allegation, which was actually made by an academic writing in another paper.Neal, a former military police officer who was appointed chief inspector of borders in March 2021, is responsible for monitoring the UK’s immigration, asylum, nationality and customs operations.

He has reportedly clashed with home office officials since taking up the role.

The Telgraph cited claims made by the Anti-Defamation League in America, who suggested that allegations Israel engages in  ethnic cleansing against Palestinians is a “fundamentally inaccurate accusation” that is “sensationalist and demonising”.