Boris Johnson should remember that an immigration points system must follow the evidence

Editorial: Any proposal should pay attention to the evidence of the benefits of immigration

The Independent has always argued that immigration policy should be decided by the evidence, even when this appears to contradict public opinion. But we would also argue that public opinion is not as uniformly hostile as it can appear.

Boris Johnson should bear this in mind as he considers the Migration Advisory Committee report on a points system for post-Brexit immigration control.

The committee’s recommendations are advisory – hence its name – but it would be foolish of the prime minister to ignore them. Indeed, it was foolish of Mr Johnson to refuse to renew the term of the committee’s chair, Professor Alan Manning, in what appears to be a classic case of shooting the messenger.