Rishi Sunak faced yet another setback today as the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that deportation flights to Rwanda are unlawful. The court's decision comes as a blow to the Prime Minister's mission to stop the boats and is expected to have significant implications for the upcoming general election. Rwanda has been deemed unsafe for resettling illegal migrants due to concerns that they could be sent back to their countries of origin.
Plan B in the works
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, Prime Minister Sunak remains undeterred and has insisted that he has a plan B. Downing Street has indicated that ministers have been preparing for potential outcomes and drafting contingencies. A spokesperson for the Rwandan government stated that they disagreed with the ruling, emphasizing their ongoing collaboration with the UK to integrate relocated asylum seekers into Rwandan society.
Criticism from within the party
The blow to Sunak's deportation plan comes on the heels of a scathing resignation letter from outgoing Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who criticized the Prime Minister for lacking a credible plan B. Braverman warned that if the government lost in the Supreme Court, they would have wasted a year and an Act of Parliament, only to be back at square one. The absence of a backup plan has intensified the civil war within the Tory party.
Potential repercussions
The Court of Appeal had previously overturned a High Court judgement, deeming the removal scheme safe. However, the Supreme Court's ruling raises concerns about the Kigali government potentially sending migrants to other countries where they could face persecution. While ministers argue that an unlawful ruling does not necessarily kill off the Rwanda plan, there are growing calls within the Conservative party to leave the European Court of Human Rights. This latest setback may further fuel these calls.
The price of rehousing
The UK government has already paid £140 million to Rwanda for the rehousing of asylum seekers who cross the English Channel. Ministers believe that this plan will act as a deterrent, dissuading tens of thousands from making the perilous journey if they know they will be flown to Rwanda instead.
