A GOVERNMENT crackdown on a “tiny minority” of unscrupulous immigration lawyers should not deflect from asylum claim backlogs, the Law Society said yesterday.

The Home Office said a “taskforce” will bring together regulatory bodies, law enforcement teams and other government departments to take action against advocates found to be submitting false asylum claims for a fee.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) already prohibits lawyers from deceiving courts and any act of dishonesty or lack of integrity may result in them being struck off.

Richard Atkinson, deputy vice-president of the Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales, said: “This ‘task force’ has been around for months now, so it is not clear what, if anything, the government is announcing today.

“The government, regulators and law enforcement agencies already have the powers they need to deal with immigration advisers engaged in misconduct.

“The overwhelming majority of immigration lawyers continue to support the rule of law through their adherence to the law and professional standards set by the SRA and provide an essential service to clients.

“The focus of the Home Office on a tiny minority of lawyers to which they are apparently applying considerable resources should not deflect from the fact that there remains significant backlogs in asylum claims or the unworkability of the Illegal Migration Act.”

Labour’s shadow justice secretary Steve Reed said: “Now, weak as ever, they are setting up a talking shop instead of cracking down on those who abuse our immigration system.”

The Home Office said the Professional Enablers Taskforce, for which there is no new funding, has been carrying out preliminary work over the past few months.