Illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay, say Lib Dems

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Nick Clegg said foreigners who had dodged the authorities to live here for "many years" without permission should be allowed to remain.

Outlining proposals for "managed" migration, the party's home affairs spokesman said those who had never committed a crime and were devoted to Britain had "earned" their right to stay.

Official figures estimate there are about 600,000 foreigners illegally living and working here.

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Illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay if they are law abiding, say the Lib Dems

Mr Clegg said the amnesty would pull them out of the "twilight world of illegality and exploitation".

He said candidates for "earned legalisation" would have to meet a series of conditions, including passing a "public interest" test, a test on customs and institutions, and proving they could speak and understand English.

He said the action would ensure the Treasury did not miss out on £3.3billion a year in unpaid taxes.

However, Tories immediately condemned the plan as irresponsible.

Conservative home affairs spokesman David Davis said: "On the one hand it will encourage people to come here illegally, as well as being unfair to those who have obeyed the law and tried to enter the UK legally."

The Home Office has repeatedly rejected demands for a large-scale amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Last week it was revealed the Government is likely to grant an amnesty to thousands of asylum seekers on human rights grounds.