New Lib-Dem Home Office minister Norman Baker today signalled he would block more controversial government posters telling illegal immigrants to “go home”.
Mr Baker claimed the billboards towed around London in July pandered to “the worst instincts in society”.
His move to scrap the posters — hailed as a success by Tories — marks the first act in a war brewing between Mr Baker and Home Secretary Theresa May, who is said to be “spitting tacks” about his appointment in this week’s reshuffle.
Departmental officials further raised the stakes by refusing to rule out an extension of the campaign today.
Mr Baker said the vans were “clearly controversial”, adding: “It’s absolutely right that we have a sensible and fair policy, but it must not pander to the worst instincts in society.
“I’m very keen that we have a sensible policy and not something that inflames public opinion in an unhelpful way.”
The Advertising Standards Agency said today it had received 224 complaints about the billboard vans, which cost £4,374 and were towed around six London boroughs over two weeks.
It said a claim on the poster that 106 arrests were made “last week in your area” was misleading but it went on to say the posters were not offensive or likely to incite racial hatred, leaving the way open for the Home Office to use similar posters in the future.
Today, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We are pleased the ASA have concluded that our pilot was neither offensive nor irresponsible.”
Chair of the influential Home Affairs Committee, Keith Vaz MP, said: “We need effective policies to combat illegal migration not gimmicks.”
