UK anti-slavery commissioner condemns Shabana Mahmood’s asylum comments

Home secretary’s remarks about ‘vexatious’ claims will have real-life impact on trafficking victims, says Eleanor Lyons

• UK politics live – latest updates

The anti-slavery commissioner has criticised the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, for accusing asylum seekers of making “vexatious last-minute claims” relating to modern slavery.

The commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, said the comments were “deeply concerning” and would have “a real-life impact” on trafficking victims.