THE Supreme Court ruled that the British government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful as it could not be considered a safe third country, a major blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to stop people arriving in small boats.
Below are some officials’ reactions:
PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK
“This was not the outcome we wanted, but we have spent the last few months planning for all eventualities and we remain completely committed to stopping the boats.”
The court “has confirmed that the principle of sending illegal migrants to a safe third country for processing is lawful. This confirms the government’s clear view from the outset.”
“Illegal migration destroys lives and costs British taxpayers millions of pounds a year. We need to end it and we will do whatever it takes to do so.”
RWANDAN GOVERNMENT
“This is ultimately a decision for the UK’s judicial system. However, we take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers and refugees in terms of refoulement,” said Yolande Makolo, a spokeswoman for the Rwandan government.
Rwanda “is committed to its international obligations. We have been recognized by the UNHCR & other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees.”
LABOUR PARTY
“The Prime Minister’s flagship policy has completely failed,” said Yvette Cooper, the opposition Labour Party’s home affairs policy spokeswoman.
“Labour argued from the start this plan is unworkable and extortionately expensive, now it has been confirmed as unlawful because the government failed to ensure they had a robust and workable policy.”
LONDON’S MAYOR SADIQ KHAN
“The government’s Rwanda policy isn’t just cruel, callous and morally reprehensible — the Supreme Court has confirmed it’s unlawful too. The fact the government came up with the idea of sending people fleeing violence and persecution to a country thousands of miles away is shameful.”
SCOTLAND’S LEADER HUMZA YOUSAF
“Not only is the UK government’s policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda morally repugnant but it has now been confirmed as unlawful too. The policy must be scrapped. We need a humane system that doesn’t leave asylum seekers stuck in destitution for years without the right to work.”
CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT NATALIE ELPHICKE
The court’s decision “means the policy is effectively at an end. No planes will be leaving and we now need to move forward.”
REFUGEE CHARITY CARE4CALAIS CEO STEVE SMITH
“Today’s judgement should bring this shameful mark on the UK’s history to a close. Never again should our government seek to shirk our country’s responsibility to offer sanctuary to those caught up in horrors around the world.”
