Rwanda migrants: Boris Johnson’s plan ‘immoral and impractical’, former Tory
Boris Johnson promises to ‘set record straight’ on Partygate fine in parliament next week
Boris Johnson’s multi-million pound deal to send asylum seekers to Rwanda while their claims are processed has been condemned as “immoral”, “impractical”, and will involve “astronomic” costs.
The remarks from Andrew Mitchell — a Tory MP and former cabinet minister— came after the prime minister unveiled the plan, which could see thousands of people flown over 4,000 miles to the African country.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Mitchell said he recognised that ministers were attempting to tackle “what is a terrible problem” after 28,000 people came to the UK “illicitly” in 2021.
“The government is quite rightly trying to break the smugglers’ sordid and deathly model, and so I am absolutely behind them in doing that,” he said.
Asylum plan is ‘inhumane and will cost ‘billions during cost of living crisis’
The government’s Rwanda plan is “humane” and will cost UK taxpayers “billions” during the cost of living “crisis”, a Labour MP has said.
Fleur Anderson, who represents Putney in London, also said the plan was a “blatant attempt by the PM to distract from Partygate”.
Matt Mathers15 April 2022 14:35
ICYMI: What is Rwanda’s record on human rights?
The “offshoring” arrangement with Rwanda, a country 4,300 miles away, will earn the African nation £120m under the initial deal, although its record on human rights has already been raised as a major cause for concern.
Matt Mathers15 April 2022 14:10
Jeremy Clarkson’s beekeepers raising money to send 4x4s to Ukraine
The first 4×4 bought as part of a fundraising effort for Ukraine backed by Jeremy Clarkson has been delivered ahead of its journey to the war-torn country next week.
Viktor Zaichenko, 48, originally from Ukraine, and his wife Lucy, 55, are the beekeepers at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm in Oxfordshire.
The pair are raising money to send 4x4s to Ukraine, with the help of Clarkson and his partner Lisa Hogan.
They plan to send the off-road vehicles to help areas of Ukraine cut off from aid.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Mrs Zaichenko said: “We just want to get trucks out there which help people.
“It will rescue people, it will get them into hospitals, it will get them to safety.”
Matt Mathers15 April 2022 13:45
Sturgeon questions Ross’s ability to ‘stand up’ to government
First minister Nicola Sturgeon has questioned Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross’ willingness to stand up to the prime minister after his support for sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Home secretary Priti Patel signed a deal with the African country on Thursday, claiming the asylum system is “collapsing under a combination of real humanitarian crises and evil people smugglers”.
Speaking to the PA news agency on Friday, Mr Ross said the policy would help to deter people traffickers.
But Nicola Sturgeon hit out at the Tory leader’s support, telling journalists: “Douglas…
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