Peers put pressure on ministers over Asia Bibi

Tory former minister Baroness Warsi assured ministers that the British Muslim community was “fully supportive” of any claim Ms Bibi might have.

But at question time Home Office minister Baroness Williams of Trafford repeatedly refused to comment on the case.

Lady Williams warned that departing from this policy of not commenting on individual cases due to a “duty of confidentiality” may put individuals and their family members “in danger”.

Lord Alton of Liverpool said it was “passing strange” that while other governments, parliamentarians and newspaper leader writers had spoken powerfully for asylum to be granted “we should take Trappist vows of silence”.

Lord Alton, an independent crossbench peer, praised those behind the acquittal of Ms Bibi and their “refusal to be dictated to by lynch mobs”.

He said the UK’s failure to offer asylum due to what some said was a fear of reprisals, undermined “our belief in justice, human rights, the rule of law and religious freedom” while also endangering “us of falling foul, succumbing to blackmail”.

Lady Williams said she could not comment on most of the points he had made, adding: “Our primary concern is for the safety and security of Asia Bibi and we want to see a swift resolution of the situation.

“A number of countries are in discussion about providing a safe destination once the legal process is complete and therefore it…