Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh tensions within the Labour Party over his crackdown on asylum claims, with one backbencher urging the Prime Minister to “think again”.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to unveil a series of proposals in the House of Commons today, inspired by a strict approach taken by Denmark.

The plans include banning three African countries from accessing UK visas if they fail to take back illegal migrants.

Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, warned the planned overhaul risks fostering “divisiveness” in communities.

He wrote to X: “The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.

“We absolutely need immigration controls.

“And where those controls decide to grant asylum, we should welcome and integrate, not create perpetual limbo and alienation.

“The rhetoric around these reforms encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities.

“The Government is wrong to think that reviews of safety in the person’s country every few years will mean refugees can be returned at scale. That hasn’t happened in Denmark.”

In response to his post, fellow Labour MP John McDonnell commented: “Tony Vaughan is one of the new MPs elected for Labour last year and in his contributions to Commons debates has displayed a considered approach to issues.

“He’s certainly not what the media would call a ‘usual suspect.’ I suspect he is reflecting here what many in the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) feel.”

The proposals also sparked criticism from Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who accused party leaders of “chasing Reform”.

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She told Times Radio: “The dehumanisation of people in desperation is the antithesis of what the Labour Party is about.”

“Instead of the Labour leadership chasing Reform, the very people who took us out of the Dublin Agreement, they should commence a proper process for developing an evidence-based policy, upholding our historic reputation for advancing the human rights,” she added.

As part of the sweeping reform of the asylum system, Ms Mahmood is set to rewrite how Britain grants refuge to those fleeing conflict and upheaval in her statement today.

The reforms are billed as the largest change to the UK’s asylum system in the modern era.

She will bring forward a Bill to change how the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied in migration court cases.

Only those with immediate relatives, like children or parents, will be able to remain in the UK in future.

The Home Secretary also plans to change the law so that multiple attempts to appeal against refusals for asylum will no longer be allowed.

Ms Mahmood has insisted the overhaul is needed because the “pace and scale of change destabilised communities”.

On Sunday, the Home Secretary warned public consent for the asylum system may disappear if her major reforms were not introduced.

Ms Mahmood is also expected to fast-track the removal of dangerous criminals, and to expedite hearings for last-minute appeals against deportation.

Similarly, claims by migrants that they are facing modern slavery will be more closely scrutinised as a result of tweaks to the Modern Slavery Act.

Other reforms already trailed as part of the raft of reforms include that refugee status will be made temporary, so that people are returned to their homeland once it becomes safe.

At the same time, safe and legal routes to the UK will be introduced as a way to cut dangerous journeys in small boats across the English Channel.

Meanwhile, housing and weekly allowances will no longer be guaranteed for asylum seekers.

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