The Bishop of Durham has revealed a personal reason for criticising the Government's approach to refugees and asylum seekers.
The senior cleric, who has not been afraid of criticising Government policy and last year lambasted Kwasi Kwarteng's infamous tax-slashing mini-budget, told a Newcastle hearing of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees about a friend "ho fled his country because of political violence, he had to leave his wife and child behind, who had to go into hiding in their own country for fear of retribution".
He said: "On arrival he met an official, then never heard anything further for the next 12 months. He has now finally, after four years, had an interview with someone from the Home Office; 10 months later, he is still waiting to hear the outcome of that interview.
