Carmichael condemns “immoral, ineffective and incredibly costly” Rwanda scheme after votes

Orkney and Shetland MP and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, Alistair Carmichael, has condemned the government following the passage of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, which declares Rwanda to be a “safe country” for the purposes of deportation decisions. 

The bill passed on the same day that it was revealed that so far this year, more than 6,000 migrants and refugees have crossed the Channel – a rise of about a quarter on the same period last year – despite government claims that the Rwanda scheme was deterring crossings. Hours after the passage of the bill, five people, including one child, died attempting to cross the Channel.

Mr Carmichael said:

“Whatever the outcome last night, the Tory Rwanda scheme is immoral, ineffective and incredibly costly for taxpayers. The latest figures showing a new rise in Channel crossings lay the government’s empty rhetoric bare. 

“Following their contortions over the Rwanda scheme feels like going through the looking glass. All the key players in government are known to think the proposals are ridiculous, and yet they continue to back them in public. They know that this mad bill will harm our international reputation, waste millions and do nothing to help people or stop channel crossings – but they are stuck in a trap of their own making.

“Rishi Sunak’s government-by-press-release is totally ineffective and making a mockery of our country’s reputation. Sunak needs to get a grip, stop cowering to the right wing of his party and put forward practical solutions to stop the dangerous Channel crossings while treating asylum seekers with dignity.”