The Home Office has reportedly told asylum caseworkers to refer Palestinian claims linked to families brought to Britain for medical treatment to senior officials for “reputational risk” checks. The instruction followed reports that a former member of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s security detail received asylum and later British citizenship, and is now facing extradition to Germany over an alleged plot to attack Jewish people.

The report says the referrals are High Profile Notifications, intended to alert senior officials and the press office to cases that could attract public scrutiny. An unnamed source alleged the move was prompted by concern that people arriving through the Gaza medical evacuation scheme might later be found to have Hamas links; the Home Office rejected claims that checks are inadequate, saying applicants receive detailed interviews and assessments and that 93 per cent of decisions meet official standards. The issue has drawn attention as the Government restarts a resettlement scheme for people fleeing conflict, including Palestinians.