The United Kingdom Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has threatened to impose an entry ban on Eritrean nationals if the East African country fails to accept more migrants arriving in the UK by small boats, as well as foreign national offenders facing deportation. Mahmood also announced possible restrictions on Eritrean diplomats’ movements outside London and the suspension of fast-track visas for senior officials and other prominent individuals. The British government said the measures were aimed at pressuring Eritrea to cooperate with the return of individuals who have no legal right to remain in the UK. Mahmood accused the Eritrean authorities of refusing to accept the return of criminals and other migrants subject to removal, despite repeated opportunities to cooperate. She warned that the government would not hesitate to impose further measures on countries that fail to cooperate with its deportation policies. According to figures from the House of Commons Library, Eritreans accounted for 18 per cent of migrants arriving in the UK by small boats in the 12 months to June, making them the most common nationality among those arrivals during the period. The UK government also accused Eritrea of abruptly withdrawing its cooperation earlier this year. The Eritrean Embassy in London has been contacted for comment on the proposed measures.