British Airways criticised by LGBT groups over asylum removals

British Airways has been condemned for cooperating with the removal of refused asylum seekers persecuted for their sexuality while sponsoring the UK’s biggest gay pride event. A letter signed by LGBT rights campaigners, performers and businesses as well as several MPs calls on BA, a sponsor of Brighton Pride, to stop accepting contracts from the Home Office for immigration removals. BA said it was proud to support Brighton Pride and it had a legal duty under the Immigration Act 1971 to remove individuals when asked to do so by the Home Office. “Not fulfilling this obligation amounts to breaking the law,” it said. “We are not given any personal information about the individual being deported, including their sexuality or why they are being deported,” the airline said. <br/>