Tories' nasty plans for asylum seekers not the answer. Newcastle and UK's proud history of sanctuary must not be betrayed.

As the Home Office is said to be considering converting disused ferries to process people seeking asylum in the UK,Cllr Phil Hall, who chairs the Newcastle Liberal Democrats City Party, spoke out.

"We all want to prevent people from making dangerous attempts to cross the Channel, but these absurd Home Office proposals are not the answer.

"Tory Ministers are showing no regard either for the wellbeing of asylum seekers or the island communities they want to turn into detention camps.

"Instead of coming up with ever more impractical, ever nastier ways of treating asylum seekers, the Government must restore safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees - especially unaccompanied children.

"Newcastle and the UK has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need which must not be betrayed, and Liberal Democrats will not let the Government turn its back on them now,." said Cllr Hall