Chaos continues as flights to Rwanda face uncertainty
Rwanda is facing more uncertainty as Jeremy Hunt, the new Foreign Secretary, admitted that flights to the country might not take off next year as previously hoped. This comes just a day after Chancellor Rishi Sunak expressed his desire to remove the first illegal migrants by the spring, a plan that Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick deemed "absolutely critical".
New treaty with Rwanda to salvage deportation plan
In an attempt to salvage the deportation plan that was recently blocked by the Supreme Court, a new treaty with Rwanda is expected to be revealed within days. However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has stated that there is "no guarantee" that any asylum seekers will be removed by the next election. This statement is likely to anger Tory MPs who have already criticized the Prime Minister's leadership over his promise to stop illegal immigration.
Concerns over vetoing European Convention of Human Rights
There are also concerns that right-wing MPs may erupt if new Foreign Secretary David Cameron decides to veto any plans to leave the European Convention of Human Rights. Former Chancellor George Osborne believes that this option is now unlikely due to Cameron's position.
Publication of fresh agreement and emergency legislation
Downing Street has announced that a fresh agreement with Rwanda to get the deportation plan back on track will be published within days. Emergency legislation, classifying Rwanda as a "safe" country in law, will also be presented in the coming weeks. However, the plan may face opposition in the House of Lords.
No promises about flights to Rwanda
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has made no promises about flights to Rwanda, stating that legislation needs to be passed in the House of Commons and a new international treaty with Rwanda needs to be signed. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of flights going off to Rwanda in the spring and Home Secretary James Cleverly expressed determination to get planes in the sky by the next election.
The first scheduled flight to Rwanda was supposed to take place last year but was grounded by Euro judges.
