Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has launched a scathing attack on Labour's decision to scrap the Rwanda migration policy, calling it "ridiculous" during an appearance on GB News.
"One of the reasons I think the Rwanda policy was right was because you have to show people that they're not going to be accommodated endlessly at the taxpayers' expense, that they're going to be sent to Rwanda for processing", Johnson said.
The former PM argued the policy would have served as a significant deterrent to illegal migration.
"I think it would have been a huge deterrent. You could see it working", Johnson told GB News.
He expressed frustration at what he sees as a costly decision to abandon the policy.
The former Prime Minister emphasised his belief that the Rwanda scheme would have effectively demonstrated that asylum seekers would not be indefinitely supported by British taxpayers.
Instead, they would be sent to Rwanda for their claims to be processed.
Johnson particularly criticised Labour's apparent inconsistency in pursuing alternative migration agreements while rejecting the Rwanda scheme.
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"What I find so incredible about what Labour has done is they have scrapped the policy at vast expense and they are now saying they want to do a similar deal with Albania", he said.
He pointedly questioned the logic behind this decision, stating: "What is the difference between Albania and Rwanda? What the hell? It's just ridiculous."
Johnson's comments come as several European nations explore similar migration agreements.
The Netherlands is currently in talks with Uganda about potentially accepting around 1,000 failed African asylum seekers this year.
Meanwhile, Italy has recently signed a five-year deal with Albania to process migrants, allowing up to 3,000 people monthly to be sheltered there while their asylum requests are processed.
The Dutch government is also in negotiations with Uzbekistan regarding centres for Afghan refugees.
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"One of the reasons I think the Rwanda policy was right was because you have to show people that they're not going to be accommodated endlessly at the taxpayers' expense, that they're going to be sent to Rwanda for processing", Johnson said.
The former PM argued the policy would have served as a significant deterrent to illegal migration.
"I think it would have been a huge deterrent. You could see it working", Johnson told GB News.
He expressed frustration at what he sees as a costly decision to abandon the policy.
The former Prime Minister emphasised his belief that the Rwanda scheme would have effectively demonstrated that asylum seekers would not be indefinitely supported by British taxpayers.
Instead, they would be sent to Rwanda for their claims to be processed.
Johnson particularly criticised Labour's apparent inconsistency in pursuing alternative migration agreements while rejecting the Rwanda scheme.
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"What I find so incredible about what Labour has done is they have scrapped the policy at vast expense and they are now saying they want to do a similar deal with Albania", he said.
He pointedly questioned the logic behind this decision, stating: "What is the difference between Albania and Rwanda? What the hell? It's just ridiculous."
Johnson's comments come as several European nations explore similar migration agreements.
The Netherlands is currently in talks with Uganda about potentially accepting around 1,000 failed African asylum seekers this year.
Meanwhile, Italy has recently signed a five-year deal with Albania to process migrants, allowing up to 3,000 people monthly to be sheltered there while their asylum requests are processed.
The Dutch government is also in negotiations with Uzbekistan regarding centres for Afghan refugees.
Find Out More...