RWANDA flights are a matter of life and death to stop small boat migrants making deadly crossings, Rishi Sunak warned today.
The PM described reports of five drowning in the Channel as “tragic” – but a “reminder of why my plan is so important”.
APRishi Sunak defended his Rwanda policy after five asylum seekers drowned in the Channel today[/caption]
He said the flagship removal scheme – finally passed by Parliament last night – was even “compassionate” to deter the perilous journeys.
Authorities said five migrants died in a failed attempt to cross the Channel today.
A child, a woman and three men were killed trying to cross from France this morning.
The French coastguard launched an emergency operation and by 11am at least five people were reported drowned off the coast at Boulogne sur Mer.
About 100 migrants have been rescued and placed aboard a French navy ship, which will take them to the port of Boulogne.
Officials reported a four-year-old girl was among the dead asylum seekers.
Many others who struggled ashore were unconscious and suffering from hypothermia, they added.
What is the Rwanda plan?
Under the plan, anyone who arrives in Britain illegally will be deported to Rwanda, a country in eastern Africa.
The government believes the threat of being removed to Rwanda will deter migrants from making the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats.
Once in Rwanda, their asylum claims will be processed but there is no route back to the UK, save for some exceptional circumstances such as individual safety concerns.
Britain will pay for migrants to start a new life in Rwanda.
Speaking en route to Poland, Mr Sunak said: “There are reports of sadly yet more tragic deaths in the Channel this morning.
“I think that it’s just a reminder of why my plan is so important because there’s a certain element of compassion about everything that we’re doing.
“We want to prevent people making these very dangerous crossings
“If you look at what’s happening criminal gangs are exploiting vulnerable people they are packing more and more people into these unseaworthy dinghies.
“You’ve seen an enormous increase in the numbers over the past few years.
“This is what tragically happens when they push people out to sea.
“That’s why for matter of compassion more than anything else we must actually break this business model and end this unfairness of people coming to our country illegally.
Tragedies have to stop, Cleverly says
Following the reports of deaths in the English Channel, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “These tragedies have to stop.
“I will not accept a status quo which costs so many lives.
“This Government is doing everything we can to end this trade, stop the boats and ultimately break the business model of the evil people smuggling gangs, so they no longer put lives at risk.”
MP Robert Jenrick added: “This is another intolerable tragedy. It’s a scandal these death traps masquerading as boats are travelling uninterrupted across the EU.
“EU must finally grant member states legal cover to seize these unseaworthy boats that are costing precious lives.”
“I pay tribute to our border force and the French Cooperation as they always do to rescue people.
“But as I said this underscores why you needed very simply people need to know that if they try and come here illegally they won’t be able to stay.
“They’ll be returned either to their own country or Rwanda and I’m pleased that the bill has passed through Parliament in the face of lots of Labour opposition.
“It was a late night vote but it was worth it and some of you were there yesterday.
“I’ve outlined the next steps on our plan to get the flights going to 12 weeks with a very thorough process.
“A lot of prep is gone into behind the scenes over the past few weeks and months to be ready for this moment, I’m confident in our ability to deliver.”
What does the passing of the Bill mean?
Analysis by Noa Hoffman, Political Correspondent, The Sun
The passing of the Rwanda Bill after months of delay will be chalked up by Rishi Sunak and his ministers as a major win.
Against the backdrop of a huge and successful Labour operation to frustrate the legislation – the PM was able to unite his fractious party to get it over the line.
But there is a long way to go before the Bill can be seen to have achieved its core aim – stopping the boats.
Ahead of deportation flights expect to see numerous legal challenges launched by human rights groups.
Part of the Bill’s success will be determined by whether it can pass through the courts in the face of lawyers desperate to kill it off.
No10 say they like their chances.
It also remains to be seen just how many illegal migrants will end up being deported – how full will flights be when they’re given the green light for take off?
And how smooth will operations be in Kigali, processing the migrants and settling them into their new lives?
If deportations happen only by the dozens – against a backdrop of thousands of small boat arrivals – it will be hard to label the scheme an immediate outright success.
Then there is the question of how effective the flights will be in deterring migrants from crossing the channel in the first place.
With just months to go before a showdown general election – there is precious little time for comprehensive answers to these questions to transpire.
Therefore, it’s unlikely the passing of the Bill will have a significant impact on the current low approval ratings of the PM and his party in the polls.