Rishi Sunak spoke to LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari live on air. Photo: SIMON DAWSON/NO 10 DOWNING STREET
Rishi Sunak says “enough is enough” as he vows to ignore the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) if he tries to cancel deportation flights to Rwanda.
The Prime Minister has made it clear he is prepared to continue flying even if judges in Strasbourg grant a Rule 39 injunction in an attempt to prevent them from leaving.
“I have made it very clear that I will not allow a foreign court to block our ability to land people on planes and send them off. to Rwanda,” Mr Sunak told LBC.
The first migrant deportation flight to Rwanda in June 2022 was stopped due to legal problems. Photo: FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY
He added: “We are reasonable people trying to do reasonable things. I approached this quite reasonably. We have worked hard, we have reduced the numbers, we have done everything right, we have brought new laws through parliament, we have resolved all the problems, but for now this is enough.”
His government took over the powers in the Security Law Rwanda allowing ministers to override a Rule 39 injunction, one of which was issued in June 2022 and prohibited the first flight to the Central African state.
However, critics have raised concerns that the government's own legal advice states that such injunctions are mandatory and that pro-ECHR ministers could resign if the prime minister ignores the court's ruling.
The bill and a new treaty with Rwanda aim to address Supreme Court criticism that Rwanda is unsafe, meaning migrants would be unlawfully at risk of being returned to countries where they could face persecution.
“Securing our country” borders'
Mr Sunak has previously hinted that he would be willing to quit the ECHR if Strasbourg judges blocked the government's plan for Rwanda.
When asked whether withdrawal from the ECHR to be included in the Tories' general election manifesto, the Prime Minister told LBC: “I'm not going to go into the manifesto, but I can say very clearly, and I have said on numerous occasions, that I am determined to see this policy through because I think it's really important for the country, for the security of our borders for the sake of fairness.”
Mr Sunak hopes to launch the first flights to Rwanda this spring to ensure further channel crossings are deterred as part of his key promises to “stop the ships”.
The bill will return to the Commons next Monday after it was adjourned by the Lords, who dealt a series of defeats to the government, forcing ministers to play parliamentary ping-pong with the Upper House to ensure passage of the bill . legislation.
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