Boris Johnson stated today that the Royal Navy will take over responsibility for addressing those crossing the English Channel as of today, as he unveiled plans to fly some migrants to Rwanda.
The prime minister, speaking at a Kent airport, said:
“We must ensure that the only route to asylum in the UK is a safe and legal one and that those who tried to jump the queue or abuse our systems will find no automatic path to set them up in our country, but rather be swiftly and humanely removed to a safe third country or their country of origin.”
He stated that anyone found unlawfully entering the UK, as well as those who entered the country illegally after January 1, might be deported to Rwanda.
Mr Johnson stated that the government intended to put a stop to the “barbaric trade in human misery” perpetrated by people traffickers in the English Channel, and that crossings may exceed 1,000 per day in a matter of weeks.
Charities have branded the idea to stem the influx of refugees as “cruel and unpleasant,” while opposition parties claim it is a ploy to divert attention away from the partygate scandal.
