Ministers frantically backtracked on plans to seize jewellery and watches from Channel migrants today as Labour MPs gear up to crush a bid to toughen Britain's borders.
An overhaul Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described as the biggest for a generation is at risk of unravelling even before she has formally unveiled it.
Inspired by Denmark's crackdown, Ms Mahmood wants to quadruple the length of time asylum seekers wait for permanent settlement to 20 years. There will be reviews of refugee status every 30 months, with people returned if their home countries have become safe.
But government sources desperately played down reports that they could emulate the controversial 'jewellery law' allowing officials to confiscate illegal immigrants' valuables on arrival.
Home Office minister Alex Norris wriggled as he was grilled about the suggestion - which has enraged backbenchers - in interviews this morning.
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