Team Blitz India
The United Kingdom seems determined to “stop the boats” carrying illegal immigrants across the English Channel, and send asylum-seekers to Rwanda despite the Supreme Court upholding the judgment of the Court of Appeal. The November 15 ruling means that the Rishi Sunak’s Government cannot now lawfully remove such people to the African nation.
However, James Cleverly, who was made Home Secretary in a recent reshuffle, stated that “The Prime Minister has said that if our domestic legal framework frustrates our plans he is prepared to change our laws.” Soon after the Supreme Court ruling, the PM had said that he will introduce “emergency legislation” to deem Rwanda a safe country.
Govt’s plea rejected
Five justices of Britain’s highest court on November 15 rejected the Government’s appeal against a European Court ruling that migrants could not be sent to Rwanda since it cannot be considered a safe third country.
The Home Secretary said the judgment was “made on the basis of facts from 15 months ago”.
In a statement made in the House of Commons, Cleverly said, “The Government of course fully respects the Supreme Court, but its judgment does not weaken our resolve to deter people from making these illegal, dangerous, and unnecessary journeys,” adding, “This is a lengthy judgment, which we now need to digest and reflect upon.”
PM Sunak had included a crackdown on illegal immigrants using small boats to cross the English Channel among his priorities. He told MPs he would work with Rwanda to take account of the judges’ concerns, upgrading the deal to a treaty.
Deliver Rwanda deal
According to Cleverly, before the PM launched the 10-point plan in December, the number of people entering the UK illegally in small boats had more than quadrupled.
“We have a plan to deliver the Rwanda deal and we will do whatever it takes to stop the boats,” asserted the Home Secretary in his statement. Meanwhile, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman urged the Government to pass emergency legislation to “block off” human rights courts.
Braverman was sacked after her article, published by The Times, accused the police of “playing favourites” during protests over the war in Gaza and claimed law enforcers largely ignored “pro-Palestinian mobs”.
