Asylum plans 'repugnant' - Short

Clare Short launched a scathing attack yesterday on Tony Blair's proposals to crack down on illegal immigration, condemning them as "morally repugnant" and "a very silly idea".

The criticism from the International Development Secretary came as Britain and Spain prepared to water down their plans to link the European Union aid and trade that is given to poor countries with their record on immigration and asylum. The issue will top the agenda at a two-day summit of EU leaders in Seville, Spain, starting today.

In her surprisingly open rebellion, Ms Short made clear that she agreed with the criticism levelled at the British-Spanish plan by France, Sweden and Luxembourg, which have warned that cutting aid could deepen poverty in poor countries. The opposing countries want a programme offering "more carrots and fewer sticks". In an interview recorded yesterday for this weekend's GMTV Sunday Programme, Ms Short declared: "It was an idea that I'm pretty confident isn't going to run. It's really a very silly idea." The prospect of taking away aid from refugees from the Taliban regime who returned to Afghanistan was "a piece of nonsense", she said.

"So it's morally repugnant to sort of hurt the poor of the world in order to get your way with a different policy intent – but it wouldn't work either."

Ms Short hinted that Britain and Spain would be forced to abandon their original plan. Instead, the EU summit might consider scrapping trade agreements only when non-EU countries refuse to take back people who are turned down for asylum or if such countries do not tackle "people trafficking".

She added: "We should not hurt the poor of a country to try to force their government to do something we want for other purposes. That wouldn't be right."

Although the Government denied any climbdown, Mr Blair appeared to soften his stance on the issue yesterday. He said: "We are not talking about anything whatsoever that would run counter to the fundamental aim of poverty reduction. I would argue that tackling the poverty and instability of these countries includes helping remove some of the factors that encourage people to emigrate, and many of these countries actually need their skilled people back in their own country helping them."

Hinting at some concessions, the Prime Minister said he was sure a way could be found to appease critics and co-operate with countries that were the source of immigration and asylum problems without harming the fight against poverty. "We don't need to do that and we shouldn't do that, so I am sure a way can be found around that," he said.

Government sources denied the aim of the British-Spanish initiative on asylum had been to punish poor countries. "It has never been an excuse to withdraw aid. It is about a positive partnership," one said. The sources acknowledged Britain and Spain needed to reassure their critics in the EU. "We are trying to allay the fears that this will harm third countries. That is not what it is about."

Despite the row, British ministers were said to be "fairly confident" the Seville summit would reach agreement on a package of measures to tackle asylum and immigration problems.