The Tories have pledged to bring an end to Labour’s illegal migrant “lunacy” in Westminster, after the top London council brought in new ‘sanctuary’ status for refugees. On Monday the Labour-run council cabinet voted to approve sanctuary status for refugees, setting out how the city will support them and reaffirming its commitment to being a “welcoming and inclusive place for everyone who lives in Westminster”.

This includes plans to improve access to health services and boosting migrants in their taxpayer-funded homes. Announcing the move, the council’s leader Adam Hug also used the phrase “global majority” to describe migrants and refugees living the heart of Britain’s capital. He said: “Our city is shaped by its diversity, with 45% of our residents coming from a global majority background, and this is one of the things that makes Westminster so great.”

However the move has been greeted with incredulity by the Conservatives, who are hoping to capitalise on Keir Starmer’s unpopularity this May and retake the council.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the Daily Express: “Westminster residents should be warned. Schemes associated with ‘City of Sanctuary’ have swallowed up taxpayer money for open borders lunacy whilst doing nothing to fix the pressures people face.

“Families who play by the rules are hit with higher bills, overcrowded housing lists and stretched services, as councils divert time and resources into schemes that go beyond their fundamental responsibilities and into ideological crusades.

“With local elections in May, voters should know only the Conservatives will stand up to this nonsense.”

Westminster follows in the wake of a number of other councils adopting ‘sanctuary’ policies for asylum seekers, which have been condemned as a shocking waste of taxpayer money.

These included asylum seekers in Lewisham receiving pilates classes, and barista lessons in Islington.

Tory leader on the London Assembly Susan Hall fumed: “Crime in Westminster is out of control, council tax is rising, and public spaces are degrading – yet the Labour council are more interested in pet projects and virtue signalling.

“They’ve already de facto made Westminster a sanctuary by failing to properly police the encampments which have sprung up in the borough, to the detriment of voters and the public realm. In May, voters will have a chance to let Labour know exactly what they think of these follies.”

The Express revealed the extent of a massive camp of illegal migrants on one of London’s poshest streets last year, with around 19 tents pitched up on the luxury spot known as ‘Billionaires’ row’. The group – who say they came from Italy but originally hail from Romania – admit they don’t work, yet remain camped on public land while police do nothing.

Migrants in the camp have been pictured hanging up their laundry, cooking and eating off tables pitched up on the green, while one witness told Express: “I go past here each morning on my way to work and I’ve seen them drinking bottles of vodka at around six in the morning”.

In one grim snap, a woman at the camp can be seen exposing herself in public and pooing on the grass. When the Daily Express first approached the camp, residents begged for money – asking for £50 by bank transfer.

One resident of the encampment claimed TfL police officers visit daily and do nothing to move them on. The camp was finally evicted in May, though illegal migrants camping in the capital remains a problem for residents