James Cleverley calls Rwanda plan 'bats', MP claims

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper talks about the Rwanda plan to the House of Commons on Wednesday. Photo: UNPIXS

James Cleverley Yvette Cooper privately described the plan to deport migrants to Rwanda as «bats».

The shadow home secretary suggested Mr Cleverley personally never believed in the plan, when she questioned him in the Commons about ministers doing so, it has now been ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Ms Cooper told the Commons: “I don't believe the new Home Secretary will ever… or believed in the Rwandan plan. He distanced himself from it and from his predecessor's language on the matter.

“He may even have sometimes privately referred to it as 'bats'.

After laughter from Labor MPs , she added: “But he and I agree that we need action to stop boat crossings that undermine border security and put lives at risk.”

“We need a properly monitored and managed system providing asylum and refugees.»

As Ms Cooper made her announcement, the Home Secretary could be seen sitting on the government benches with his head bowed.

Mr Cleverley did not respond directly to the Labor spokesman's statement. when he later answered her questions.

However, he distanced himself from right-wing Tory calls for Britain to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, telling Jonathan Gullis, Stoke-on-Trent North MP. The MP said such a move was not «necessary» to control the UK's borders.