James Cleverly signs new deal with Rwanda in bid to start Rwanda flights
Home Secretary signs new asylum treaty in Rwanda
James Cleverly has signed a fresh treaty with Rwanda in a bid to get the stalled policy off the ground.
The Home Secretary inked the agreement alongside his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Birut in Kigali today.
The new deal comes after the Supreme Court last month ruled the policy to send asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to the African nation was unlawful in a major blow to Rishi Sunak.
Five of the UK’s most senior justices cited concerns there was a risk genuine refugees deported to Rwanda could be returned to their country of origin.
Mr Cleverly insisted the new deal addresses the issues raised by the Supreme Court.
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But the Home Secretary dodged a question on whether the first flight would leave the tarmac by the spring.
Mr Cleverly said: “We want to see this part of our wider migration plan up and running as quickly as possible.
“We feel very strongly that this treaty addresses all of the issues raised by their lordships in the Supreme Court and we have worked very closely with our Rwandan partners to ensure that it does so.”
He said he “cannot see any credible reason” to question Rwanda’s track record, adding: “I really hope that we can now move quickly.
“We’ve addressed the issues that were raised by their lordships in this treaty and that will be reflected in domestic legislation soon.”
Mr Cleverly added that the UK has not paid Kigali any additional money for the fresh deal.
The Prime Minister promised a new deal with Rwanda and emergency legislation to deem the country a safe destination for asylum seekers following the Supreme Court blow in November.
The plan is seen as key to delivering on Mr Sunak’s pledge to stop small boats before the next general election.
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