UK finally deports its first ever migrant to Rwanda in huge breakthrough for Rishi Sunak
It's been reported this evening that Britain successfully flew its first-ever migrant to the African country.
Sunak: Rwanda flights to go ahead 'without further delays'
Rishi Sunak quietly secured a major breakthrough in his battle against illegal immigration this week, after the UK finally deported its first ever asylum seeker to Rwanda.
This evening The Sun has claimed the first ever flight set off on Monday evening, with the migrant now landed and settled in Kigali, the country’s capital.
The report says the unnamed migrant lost a bid to stay in Britain at the end of 2023, with the individual voluntarily accepting removal to Rwanda.
While the surprise news may provide Mr Sunak with a boost ahead of the local elections, the deportation was not forced as part of the government’s flagship plans set to come into force later this Summer.
The man, of African origin, voluntarily accepted the deportation deal, and was deported on a commercial flight and handed around £3,000 from the taxpayer to help him relocate and settle.
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Sources told the paper that the first-ever removal has been dubbed a “proof of concept” success, with “sighs of relief” in Whitehall.
A source added: “This proves it's possible and legal for Britain to remove failed asylum seekers to Rwanda successfully and smoothly”.
A Government spokesman said: "We are now able to send asylum seekers to Rwanda under our migration and economic development partnership".
"This deal allows people with no immigration status in the UK to be relocated to a safe third country where they will be supported to rebuild their lives."
The Government is hoping that forced deportation flights, enabled by the passage of new legislation last week, will begin in 10-12 weeks.
While some in Government clearly believe the news is a sign of successes to come in deporting more migrants, this evening Nigel Farage slapped down claims that Rwanda will succeed.
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The Reform UK President warned followers not to be “conned by this new government spin”.
He tweeted: “This African man, who did not even cross the Channel, was refused asylum and has voluntarily accepted £3,000 + free board”.
“It won't stop the boats.”
The Government finally defeated the House of Lords last week, with the Safety of Rwanda act becoming law shortly after.
The new Bill will force every immigration decision-maker - including immigration officers and the courts - to consider Rwanda a safe third country.
Courts will also not consider any challenges to deportation on the grounds that migrant will not receive “fair and proper” consideration of their claim.
The Bill also has a ‘notwithstanding’ clause, meaning certain provisions within the Human Rights Act will be disapplied.
This evening Labour's Yvette Cooper blasted the reports, accusing the Tories of being so desperate to deport someone ahead of the local elections that they paid a migrant to go.
She added: "British taxpayers aren’t just forking out £3,000 for a volunteer to board a plane, they are also paying Rwanda to provide him with free board and lodgings for the next five years. This extortionate pre-election gimmick is likely to be costing on average £2 million per person".
“Former Tory Home Office Ministers warned that the government’s plan was just to get token flights off before a General Election. Now we know what they mean".
