Kemi Badenoch claims many migrants crossing the Channel are not ‘refugees’ – what do the figures actually show?

Kemi Badenoch has claimed that ”a lot” people arriving in the UK illegally are “not refugees” and instead choose Britain because they see it as a “soft touch."

Speaking to LBC, the Conservative leader said: “I think a lot of these people should not be here. They are not refugees. They are people who see our country as a soft touch, and they exploit our kindness.”

However, research from the Migration Observatory suggests the UK applies a higher threshold for asylum claims than many EU countries.

Government figures also show that 61 per cent of people who arrive illegally by boat and apply for refugee status are ultimately granted asylum.

The Independent has contacted Ms Badenoch for comment.

Buddhist hall housing ‘eternal flame’ burns down in Japan

CCTV: Suspect sprays bizarre graffiti message on London wall

Trump says he will ‘try’ to make his son’s wedding but ‘it’s not good timing for me’