Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has criticized Rishi Sunak's plan for deportation flights to Rwanda, stating that no flights will take off before the next general election.
Suella Braverman has spoken out against Rishi Sunak's proposal to strike a new treaty with Rwanda in order to address concerns raised by Supreme Court judges. Writing in The Telegraph, Braverman argued that the plan does not address the "fundamental issues" with the scheme. She also called for emergency legislation to be introduced, but emphasized that Parliament would need to amend the Illegal Migration Act for this to happen.
Braverman's alternative plan for Rwanda
Braverman outlined her own five-point proposal to ensure flights can take off to Rwanda:
- The Bill must address the Supreme Court's concerns about the safety of Rwanda.
- It must contain a clause allowing flights to take off before the next general election.
- Those arriving illegally must be removed within days, rather than months.
- Legal challenges to detention must be excluded to avoid burdening the courts.
- The Bill should be introduced and debated in Parliament before Christmas.
Braverman argued that it is crucial to focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on how the situation came about. She stated that the current legal framework no longer has the ability to stop illegal migration, and the Prime Minister must now give Parliamentarians a clear choice: effectively control illegal migration or explain why the UK is powerless under international law.
Transport Secretary aims for spring flights
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has stated that the government aims for the first flights to Rwanda to take off next spring. He believes that the new treaty and changes to domestic legislation will enable this to happen. However, if no flights take off before the general election, it may be seen as a failure on the part of Rishi Sunak to fulfill his promise to stop illegal arrivals.
James Cleverly confident in new Rwanda treaty
James Cleverly, the current Home Secretary, has expressed his determination to get flights off to Rwanda before the next general election. He dismissed claims that he privately criticized the migration policy and stated that the treaty will be revealed within a matter of days. However, concerns remain that the treaty may face obstacles in the House of Lords and the courts, potentially delaying the implementation of the plan.
Former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption has criticized the government's decision to have a second attempt at a deportation scheme, describing it as "constitutionally extraordinary." Rishi Sunak has admitted that he is running out of patience with the situation, but has faced backlash from within his own party and warnings about his leadership.
