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Top English judge slams Starmer's move against Palestinian refugees living in UK

England's most senior judge has criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for saying last week that the government would seek to prevent Palestinian refugees from living in the UK using a refugee scheme established for Ukrainians.

The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales Baroness Sue Carr said she was "deeply troubled" by Starmer's approach.

His statement came after it emerged that a judge had ruled that six Palestinians from Gaza - a mother, a father and four children - could remain in Britain using the Ukraine Family Scheme, a visa programme originally established for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war following Russia's invasion. 

The Home Office refused an initial application by the Palestinian family in May last year, but in September an immigration tribunal ruled in their favour.

Opposition Conservative Party MPs slammed the decision last week, with party leader Kemi Badenoch declaring in parliament on Wednesday that it "cannot be allowed to stand".

Read more: Top English judge slams Starmer's move against Palestinian refugees living in UK

keir starmer
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer gives an interview during a visit to Bristol on 17 February (AFP)