21 February 2003
The Refugee Council has welcomed a High Court ruling on February 19 which overturned attempts by the Home Office to bar late claimants for asylum from being eligible for shelter and food.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said the government would appeal against the decision, adding that the law still stood that people were expected to declare their intention to seek asylum as soon as possible after entering the country.
But Refugee Council acting chief executive Margaret Lally said: 'When the legislation was being passed, the government did not say that new arrivals would be left to sleep rough, reliant on food parcels and blankets.'
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