Green-led Lewisham council plans to ban cooperation with Home Office on immigration raids

Lewisham council will vote next week on a motion to end cooperation with Home Office immigration enforcement, after uncovering a request for joint raids.

• Councillors will vote on Wednesday on a motion to review council systems and end cooperation with the Home Office on immigration raids.
• Council officials uncovered an email from Home Office immigration enforcement requesting assistance with "joint operational visits" to restaurants.
• Green party leader Zack Polanski said the council is working to create a "corridor of sanctuary" where no one lives in fear of being removed.
• The Home Office said it has a "collaborative relationship" with Lewisham council and makes no apology for information sharing to fight immigration crime.