Rwanda asylum scheme: Former PM Theresa May criticises plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda | Politics News
Theresa May has criticized the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda on the grounds that it is “legal, practical and effective”, telling MPs she is concerned the proposals could divide families and families increased trafficking in women and children.
The former Conservative prime minister raises questions about the new asylum policy – which will see refugees arriving in the UK via illegal routes Deportation to Rwanda – as Home Secretary Priti Patel defended the plan.
“I can say to my rightly honored friend that from what I have heard and seen so far about this policy, I do not support the repeal of the Rwanda policy for legitimate, practical and effective,” Mrs May told the Commons.
“But I want to ask her about a very specific matter. I understand that the people who will be removed will only be young men, that the family will not be… Well, the house secretary is shaking her head so I clearly misunderstood policy in that sense.
“But if the family case is not going to break up, and the secretary is nodding, she doesn’t believe it and where is the proof that this won’t simply lead to an increase in trafficking in women and children? “
Ms. Patel said a memorandum of understanding had been published “outlining in full detail the legality and nature of the agreement”.
It comes after the Archbishop of Canterbury used his Easter Sunday sermon to criticize the government’s plan, calling the policy un-Christian and saying it raised “serious questions”. ethical”.
Conservative MP and former Cabinet Secretary Andrea Leadsom has criticized Pastor Justin Welby’s intervention, saying leaders of the Church of England have “completely forgotten the images of children lying drowned in the water”. our beach”.
Speaking about the proposals in the Commons, Ms Patel said “access to the UK’s asylum system should be based on need, not the ability to pay smugglers”, and reiterated that the plans This plan is consistent with international obligations and UK law.
More than 4,600 people have arrived in the UK in small boats this year, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.
However, shadow interior secretary Yvette Cooper called the policy “shameful”, adding: “She is making it easier and harder for criminal gangs to Need help.”
Ms Cooper said Ms Patel’s asylum plan involved asking Rwanda to do work she was “unable to do”.
“Will she admit the £120m she’s announced she hasn’t paid to a single person is transferred?” she added.
“You can’t put a price on saving lives,” Ms. Patel replied.
She then declined to say if there was a cost cap per asylum seeker to Rwanda
