Hilton Dawson MP is leading opposition to the Government's Asylum and Immigration Bill. He welcomed pledges by ministers that benefit would not be removed from families who comply with orders to return, and that a substantial notice period would be given before benefit was stopped.
But Dawson, joint chair of the Commons children's group, said the fact that draconian measures could still be used would be enough for many MPs to oppose the proposals.
"I feel that the whole principle is wrong. This ultimate sanction of removing benefits from children is unethical," he said.
"We shouldn't be imposing our rules by threatening children with utter poverty and destitution. If it leads to one child begging on the street or being drawn into drugs, then that is one too many," he added.
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