Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick has forcefully rejected accusations from Reform's ex-chairman Zia Yusuf regarding a video about migrant accommodation facilities.

The Conservative MP branded the allegations as "lies" and accused Mr Yusuf of presenting footage without proper context.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Jenrick addressed the controversy surrounding the clip, stating: "Let me be very clear. Zia Yusuf from Reform put that out without any context."

The dispute centres on footage from November 2022, which Mr Jenrick claims was selectively edited to misrepresent his position on hotel accommodation for migrants during his time as immigration minister.

Mr Jenrick reacted to the unearthed footage on GB News

Mr Jenrick detailed the circumstances he faced upon taking office, explaining that he assumed the immigration minister role merely eight days before the controversial interview took place. At that time, the Manston processing facility was experiencing severe overcrowding, housing 4,000 individuals in a space designed for 1,600.

The situation had deteriorated further following a firebombing incident at the centre, which had thrown operations into disarray. Mr Jenrick emphasised that maintaining order was becoming increasingly difficult under these conditions.

He clarified that his comments about hotel procurement were made to provide reassurance that the government had contingency plans, rather than expressing enthusiasm for the policy.

The Shadow Minister highlighted his achievements whilst in post, asserting that he oversaw the shutdown of more than one hundred accommodation facilities for migrants. He also pointed to a reduction of approximately thirty-three per cent in small boat crossings during his time in office.

Robert Jenrick spoke on GB News

Mr Jenrick described this decrease as unique, claiming it represented the sole period when such arrivals declined either before or after his tenure. He maintained that these accomplishments demonstrated his commitment to addressing the migration crisis.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged these measures fell short of what was necessary, which ultimately led to his departure from government.

Mr Jenrick revealed that his resignation stemmed from frustration with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's reluctance to implement more stringent measures. He explained: "I chose to resign from Government. I was sick to death of seeing this and the harm it was causing communities."

The MP advocated for fundamental legal reforms, including withdrawal from human rights conventions that he believes restrict effective border control. His proposed solution involves immediate detention and removal of all illegal arrivals.

"The answer that I fought for tooth and nail when I was in Government was to change our laws, leave the human rights conventions hamstringing us then detain and deport every single one who comes into this country," he stated.

Mr Jenrick directed sharp criticism towards the current Labour government, accusing them of exacerbating the accommodation crisis. He cited the Epping facility as a prime example, which he had successfully closed during his tenure only for Labour to reopen it twelve months later.

The reopened facility now houses single male migrants rather than the families who previously occupied it, creating significant anxiety amongst local residents.

Mr Jenrick argued that Prime Minister Keir Starmer was ignoring his recommendations and worsening the situation.

"Keir Starmer is making this worse. He is not taking the advice I am giving him," he declared during his GB News appearance.