THE verdict of a tribunal into Britain’s hostile environment policy was delivered to Downing Street by campaigners yesterday.

The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT) heard evidence from over 40 civil society organisations at an unofficial hearing last November.

The Rome-based PPT convened a jury of distinguished experts who examined how migrant rights were being violated in Britain.

In their verdict, they said the government had deliberately “designed and implemented the hostile environment” which it said “facilitates and perpetuates racism and cruelty.”

They warned that the hostile environment gave rise to the denial of healthcare, housing and other public services.

This system had led to “irreversible consequences,” including a baby born with disabilities as a result of the mother being deterred from accessing antenatal care.

The chair of the jury, Professor Bridget Anderson, said: “During the PPT hearings we saw how the shameful hostile environment policy has legitimised racism and fostered a toxic social environment.”

The verdict was delivered by groups including Unite the union,  the Institute of Race Relations, the Migrants Rights Network, the campaigner Don Flynn and other co-conveners of the PPT.