Patel and Braverman accused of secret policy to deny trafficking victims leave to remain

Home Office unlawfully failed to issue permission to stay, court told, despite ruling that 1,600 were entitled to it

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.