Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised UK vicars as "naive" for allegedly enabling asylum seekers to convert to Christianity as a tactic to avoid deportation.

Speaking at a conservative convention in the US, Badenoch highlighted the case of an Iranian-born migrant who, after converting, evaded deportation in April by claiming persecution, only to later commit sexual assaults and a chemical attack.

Condemning the situation, she said: "It turns out that over many years, we have had very naive church leaders converting people who had no interest in Christianity as a means to circumvent border control."

She added: "This is what I mean when I say that Liberalism has been hacked. When a system that has accommodations made for the vulnerable is being exploited by opponents of that system, something needs to change."

The controversy over migrants converting to Christianity has been ongoing. In February, the Home Secretary launched an investigation into how the asylum system addresses such cases, following reports that 40 men on the Bibby Stockholm barge were being baptised. MPs raised concerns that migrants from predominantly Muslim countries might be converting solely to claim persecution risks in their home nations.

Church leaders have also weighed in on the debate. Following Prime Minister's Questions at the time, the Archbishop of Canterbury issued a statement rejecting what he described as the "mischaracterisation" of the Church’s role in the asylum system.

"It is the job of the government to protect our borders and of the courts to judge asylum cases," he said. "The church is called to love, mercy and do justice. I encourage everyone to avoid irresponsible and inaccurate comments—and let us not forget that at the heart of this conversation are vulnerable people whose lives are precious in the sight of God."

Badenoch has reignited the issue, reiterating her belief that "Liberalism has been hacked." She emphasised the need for systemic reform, saying: "These aren't features of the system, they are bugs and they need fixing," as reported by the Express.

She also warned that without a clear vision for the country's future, attempts to address migration through simplistic measures would fail, citing recent voter dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party as evidence.

Badenoch expressed admiration for Argentine President Javier Milei, echoing his view that socialists aim not only to control the means of production but also to regulate every aspect of people’s lives through rules, price controls, and subsidies. She endorsed his perspective, saying he is "absolutely right," and argued that leftist ideologies have infiltrated institutions worldwide.