Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Plan: Unveiling the Controversy and Critique
Rishi Sunak refutes allegations of skepticism regarding the Rwanda plan during his tenure as chancellor, asserting that his role included scrutinizing the costs associated with the government's initiative. Although documents obtained by the BBC indicate hesitations in 2022 about scaling down the asylum-seeker relocation scheme to Rwanda, Sunak denies doubting its feasibility.
In an interview with BBC One's Laura Kuenssberg, Sunak emphasized his responsibility to critically assess all proposals, clarifying that questioning aspects of the Rwanda plan did not imply lack of support. He highlighted his financial backing of the scheme as evidence of his commitment.
The UK government proposed sending certain migrants to Rwanda for processing and potential resettlement, arguing that this strategy would deter individuals from attempting perilous journeys to the UK by small boats. Originally announced in April 2022 during Boris Johnson's tenure as prime minister, the plan faced legal challenges, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling declaring it unlawful.
Leaked documents from March 2022 revealed a divergence of views between 10 Downing Street and 11 Downing Street, with Sunak expressing doubts about the scheme's efficacy. The documents suggested that No 10 considered urging Sunak to prioritize his popularity with the base when contemplating changes to the migration system, including the Rwanda plan.
Responding to the leaked documents, Sunak defended his approach of asking probing questions and asserted that his actions, such as introducing legislation as prime minister to implement the Rwanda policy, demonstrated his belief in the principle of deterrence.
The proposed legislation, the Safety of Rwanda Bill, faced criticism from within Sunak's party, with concerns ranging from potential breaches of international law to doubts about its effectiveness. Despite passing its initial stage in the House of Commons, Sunak anticipates challenges in securing parliamentary approval when it reconvenes.
In the interview, Sunak also addressed the issue of potential orders from the European Court of Human Rights to halt deportation flights, expressing determination not to let foreign courts impede the UK's ability to remove individuals following due parliamentary and legal processes. The Safety of Rwanda Bill includes provisions allowing ministers to decide whether to comply with such orders, prompting debates within the Conservative Party over the implications of overriding the European Court of Human Rights.
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