Patel had been in Kigali to sign a deal whereby Rwanda takes in illegal immigrants to the UK on a one-way ticket. The trial is set to cost £120m.
It is claimed the scheme would "save countless lives" from human trafficking. No it won't, they are already here, the traffickers already have the cash. It will mainly focus on single males with the "vast majority" of those arriving "illegally" being considered for relocation to Rwanda. So deportation is not definite. It is also claimed that it would "over time prove a very considerable deterrent". That is not definite, either.
Unfortunately, given that this government's record on illegals is so appalling something had to be done.
I am not comfortable with this scheme, it sounds a bit inhumane, and these people are our problem not Rwanda's. It is for us to process the illegals and economic migrants from the genuine refugees and asylum seekers and then send them packing - and keep on doing it over and over.
I would prefer the £120m to be spent on upgrading ex military bases to a decent standard of accommodation and other facilities such as medical and interpretation services where arrivals can be processed in a safe yet controlled environment.