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Rishi Sunak slaps down Ireland’s plan to send Rwanda-bound migrants BACK to Britain if they flee across border
Dublin has made furious claims that asylum seekers fearing removal to Rwanda have been surging across the Irish border
RISHI Sunak has stuck two fingers up to Ireland’s demands to take back illegal migrants who have crossed into the country.
Dublin has made furious claims that asylum seekers fearing removal to Rwanda have been surging across the Irish border.
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But Downing Street today shot down suggestions that migrants be returned - unless France also lets Britain send small boat migrants back across the Channel.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman said: “Even if Ireland wants to pass legislation, it is up to the UK government to decide who we do and don't accept into the country.
"Clearly we aren't going to start accepting returns from the EU, just as the EU doesn't accept asylum returns from the UK to France.”
Ireland has claimed that 80 per cent of its illegal migrant arrivals are those coming across the border from Northern Ireland fleeing potential deportation to Rwanda.
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Mr Sunak has hailed it as evidence the scheme’s deterrent effect is already working, as officials begin detaining those earmarked for Kigali today.
His Welfare Secretary Mel Stride added this morning: “We are not in the business of having more illegal migrants in the UK.
“We have passed the legislation. What you're seeing now are the early signs of the deterrent effect working.”
The row has escalated tensions between Britain and Ireland following a period of relative calm.
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It has seen Home Secretary James Cleverly scrap a planned meeting with Ireland's Justice Secretary, which has officially been blamed on a "diary clash".
Sources suggested Ireland’s new PM is looking to make a statement as the country grapples with increasing anger over illegal migration weeks out from crucial European elections.
Mr Sunak's refusal to take back illegal migrants was backed by Tory MPs including Suella Braverman.
The former Home Secretary said: "The UK is right to oppose attempts by Ireland to force illegal migrants back to us.
"Ireland’s position is intellectually incoherent. No migrant can be re-located to another sovereign state without that state’s consent."
Rishi Sunak hopes it will be third time lucky on law to stop the boats
By JACK ELSOM, Chief Political Correspondent
FIVE months after the Supreme Court appeared to have sunk the Rwanda plan, it is now back on track.
The Safety of Rwanda Act - that is now law - is the third piece of legislation designed to stop small boats in two years.
Rishi Sunak is confident that this one is finally tough enough to make deportations to Kigali a viable threat, and therefore deter illegal migrants making the dangerous Channel crossing.
He insists both Britain and Rwanda are ready for the first flights to take off in July to kickstart a “regular rhythm” of planes.
The process of detaining those migrants earmarked for the first flights can now begin, although the Home Office is remaining tight-lipped over how they have been selected.
One thing for certain is that an army of lawyers are gearing up to launch legal challenges on behalf of those individuals scheduled for removal.
The threshold they have to meet is that migrants face a risk of “serious and irreversible harm” by being sent to Kigali.
Ministers previously insisted that the Safety of Rwanda Act would force courts to throw out around 95 per cent of all claims.
Time will tell if the legislation is as watertight as they hope - and whether it proves to be an effective deterrent for those considering piling into small boats.
The PM also faces pressing questions over his plans for the tens of thousands of illegal migrants here in the UK with no chance of asylum.
Although the Rwanda scheme is technically uncapped, it seems unlikely that many will be sent there any time soon.
But if serious numbers are removed - and it has a tangible impact on Channel crossings - then Mr Sunak will have something to sell to voters heading into the election.
And it will open up a clear dividing line with Labour, who have said they would scrap the scheme altogether.
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