Stone lambasts UK Government over 'utterly shameless' plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

FAR north MP, Jamie Stone has lambasted the UK Government as "utterly shameless" over its plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The Caithness, Sutherland and easter Ross MP hit out after Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Home Secretary, Priti Patel announced the proposal which would involve sending people who cross the English Channel illegally to the East African country.

Mr Stone, who pointed out that Refugee Minister Lord Harrington ruled out such a move last week, said: "This Government is utterly shameless. Boris Johnson is clearly weaponising a most vulnerable group to distract from his lies and lawbreaking.

"These dystopian proposals will be expensive for taxpayers, while doing nothing to stop dangerous Channel crossings or combat the smuggling and trafficking gangs. After almost three years of posturing, Boris Johnson and Priti Patel have only made the problems worse."

The Liberal Democrat MP added: "The Highlands, indeed the whole of the UK, has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need. Thousands of families are opening their homes to refugees, but this Conservative Government is slamming the door in their face."

The Prime Minister said the £120million pilot scheme would "save countless lives" from human trafficking but refugee organisations have criticised the plan as cruel. They questioned its cost and impact and raised concerns about Rwanda's human rights record.

However, Mr Johnson said action was needed to stop "vile people smugglers" turning the ocean into a "watery graveyard".

Priti Patel, who travelled to Rwandan capital Kigali to sign the deal, said the "vast majority" of those arriving in the UK "illegally" would be considered for relocation to Rwanda.

Under the proposal, anyone who has arrived in Britain illegally since January could now be relocated to Rwanda. They would go through an asylum process, and if successful, could stay there.

Last year, 28,526 people are known to have crossed the English Channel in small boats, up from 8,404 in 2020.

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