Responding to the Home Secretary's comments regarding asylum seekers, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said: 

"The Home Secretary's comments about refugees crossing the Channel show that the Tories' nasty, hostile environment is alive and well.
 
"Many of these people have fled war in Syria or persecution in Iran. For the Home Secretary to suggest – on the basis of no evidence whatsoever – that they are not 'genuine' asylum seekers is completely unacceptable. For the Government to summarily deny their claims would be unlawful and inhumane.
 
"The Liberal Democrats demand better. We demand an effective and compassionate response: investing in a stronger Border Force to stop the smugglers and traffickers, while ensuring safe, legal routes to sanctuary for those forced out of their homes."