PRITI Patel last night said only her tough Rwanda policy would save lives in the Channel — in her parting shot as Home Secretary.
Her claim came after 25 small boats, carrying at least 1,160 people, landed in the UK on Sunday.
Priti Patel last night said only her tough Rwanda policy would save lives in the Channel — in her parting shot as Home Secretary
Her claim came after 25 small boats, carrying at least 1,160 people, landed in the UK on Sunday
Confirming she would not serve under new PM Liz Truss, she hit back at left-wing lawyers and activists determined to tear down her flagship policy in court.
In a warning to Ms Truss, she insisted she must back all aspects of her migration crackdown or risk allowing the perilous crossings to carry on.
Last year’s record of 27,140 migrants looks likely to be broken in the coming days, with more arriving in Dover yesterday.
One boat in Folkestone had to make an “uncontrolled landing” as authorities were too overwhelmed to accompany it to shore.
The landings continued as a High Court case over sending illegal arrivals to the African nation got under way yesterday.
Ms Patel, tipped to be replaced by Suella Braverman, said: “If we don’t break the business model of the smugglers, there will be more deaths.”
She hailed Rwanda as an “incredible, progressive” country.
Meanwhile, dozens of protesters, including ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice for a noisy protest before yesterday’s hearing.
Lawyers fighting on behalf of the Public and Commercial Services Union, Care4Calais and Detention Action said Rwanda was an authoritarian state that tortured and murdered opponents.
Government lawyers will argue the policy is perfectly legal and Rwanda is a safe country. Flights were grounded in June.
