Boris Johnson announces new immigration policy including plan to send some migrants crossing the Channel 4,000 miles to Rwanda; majority of those sent will be male economic migrants, minister says; senior Tory MP says policy is a "distraction" from partygate fine.
Thursday 14 April 2022 16:49, UK
Thanks for following on a busy day for politics as Boris Johnson and Priti Patel confirmed details of a new migrant policy to relocate some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
We'll be back soon with more updates as the partygate fallout also continues.
In the meantime, you can read the latest on the Sky News website and app.
Boris Johnson has come under fire for making "misleading suggestions" that legal challenges are politically motivated during a speech in which he laid out a new plan for tackling illegal immigration.
The PM said he believes plans to detain and fly migrants more than 4,000 miles on chartered planes to Rwanda will be challenged in court.
He noted it is due to a "formidable army of politically motivated lawyers" if the UK is seen as a "soft touch" for illegal migration by international partners and promised to do "whatever it takes to deliver this new approach".
His comments prompted a backlash from legal professionals.
Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce said that "it is particularly disappointing - this week of all weeks - the government is repeating misleading suggestions that legal challenges are politically motivated".
She added: "Legal challenges establish if the government is abiding by its own laws.
"If the government wishes to avoid losing court cases, it should act within the law of the land."
As we have been reporting, Boris Johnson has announced a new immigration policy, which includes plans to send illegal migrants crossing the Channel to Rwanda.
Who will be relocated to Rwanda?
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the "vast majority" of those who arrive in the UK through means deemed "illegal", such as on unauthorised boats or stowed away in lorries, will be considered for relocation.
Reports have suggested only male migrants who arrive from safe countries will be eligible but Ms Patel declined to give further details.
It is understood that adults will be prioritised for relocation under the scheme, with officials insisting that families arriving in the UK will not be split up.
How much will the scheme cost?
The taxpayer will foot the bill, including for the cost of chartering flights to remove detainees, but ministers are not saying how much the programme will cost.
Britain has promised Rwanda an initial £120m as part of an "economic transformation and integration fund" but the UK will be paying for operational costs too.
The Home Office said a set amount of funding will be provided for each relocated person.
But it declined to say how much, other than to say it will be comparable to current processing costs in the UK and cover case workers, legal advice, translators, accommodation, food and healthcare.
The Ministry of Defence will bolster Border Force with an offshore patrol vessel, up to six patrol boats, and one Wildcat helicopter operating in the Channel, it is understood.
The MoD will make available a range of Royal Navy surface and surveillance assets to improve Border Force capabilities until longer-term resources have been contracted.
It is understood the MoD will make use of offshore patrol vessels, which are typically used for coastal defence, and have been used to protect and enforce UK fishing waters.
It will also use up to six P2000s patrol boats, and one Wildcat helicopter, the latter of which is described on the MoD's website as "maritime attack helicopter", capable of operating from frigates and destroyers.
The MoD has secured £50m to deliver its role in the Channel and provide additional capabilities.
Earlier today, Boris Johnson confirmed the Royal Navy will take over responsibility for tackling people crossing the Channel from today.
The partnership between the UK and Rwanda will see a set amount of funding provided by Britain per relocated person, the Home Office said.
The government has not set out how much it will cost, but anticipates it to be comparable to current processing costs in the UK.
It will pay for caseworkers, legal advice, translators, accommodation, food and healthcare for every person relocated.
For those who successfully claim asylum in Rwanda, it will fund an integration package to help them put down roots.
More from Priti Patel, who has been speaking during her visit to Kigali, Rwanda, this afternoon.
The home secretary said her department is prepared for legal challenges over the scheme, but is confident that any claims will be successfully contested.
She said: "I think there is also an important message - what we are seeking to do. The British public has been crying out for change for the years, in fact decades, we could argue.
"It is incredibly unfair to the British public to see organisations in their own country effectively just putting blockages after blockages in the way. It is deeply frustrating and they want change.
"We are working night and day, believe you me... on many of these removal issues, these litigation issues, some of these pre-action protocols."
Asked how quickly she expects to see a reduction in small boat crossings in the Channel, Ms Patel said: "There is no simple solution to this.
"We've always said we want boats to stop, right? Because they're dangerous.
"I think it's important to recognise, doing nothing is not an option, right? People are dying. We've had endless deaths in the Channel.
"We're taking a combined approach here and really are, there is no not a simple way in which we're going to stop the boats."
Further details of Boris Johnson's decision to re-route some asylum seekers hoping to reach the UK to Rwanda have been unveiled this afternoon.
It has emerged that the UK will be responsible for arranging the transport of asylum seekers being relocated to Rwanda, including the provision of escorts.
The details were published in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Britain and Rwanda.
As we said earlier (see 2.22pm post), the UK will share travel document details of those being flown to Rwanda as soon as possible after departure, which will be checked by Rwandan officials on arrival.
After arriving, each asylum seeker will be given accommodation and support that is "adequate to ensure the health, security and wellbeing" of that person.
They will be free to come and go from their accommodation at all times.
During their asylum claim they will have access to an interpreter, procedural or legal assistance, and be able to appeal against any refusal.
The MOU also says the UK will resettle "a portion of Rwanda's most vulnerable refugees" in the UK.
The UK is not required to wait for the passing of the Nationality and Borders Bill to start sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, according to Number 10's director of policy.
Tory MP Andrew Griffith told the BBC that he understands the controversial policy "can come in immediately".
He said: "It doesn't depend on the bill. It's an agreement that the home secretary is signing today.
"And of course, it will take weeks or months to operationalise. It relies upon powers that already exist because Rwanda is also a member of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights, claims will be processed under exactly the same principles as they would be in the UK."
Asked if it will "apply to everyone and anyone", Mr Griffith said: "Everybody will be considered and the same processes that now in terms of the consideration of claims will apply to whether you are eligible for relocation or not."
Around 250 to 300 military personnel will be dedicated to policing migrants in the English Channel on busy days, it is understood.
They will work on ships and aircraft and will include army personnel, freeing up Border Force staff for processing.
Earlier today, Boris Johnson confirmed the Royal Navy will take over responsibility for tackling people crossing the Channel from today.
Further details have emerged regarding the government's scheme to send illegal migrants arriving in the UK to Rwanda for settlement.
According to a memorandum of understanding published on the Home Office website, Downing Street will screen asylum seekers "without delay" after arrival in the UK.
The government will provide Rwanda with basic biographical details of each person they want to transfer, as well as any special needs that will need to be accommodated, health issues, security issues and biometric data, if available.
Rwanda is not obliged to approve a transfer if this information is not provided, and all requests will require approval from Rwanda before relocation.
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