LONDON: Anyone arriving in Britain illegally will be barred from staying, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in an interview published on Sunday, ahead of new legislation due to be introduced next week.
Under pressure from its own legislators to find a solution to the flow of migrants arriving in Britain Across the Channel from Europe, Sunak has made stopping small boats one of its top five priorities.
“Make no mistake, if you come here illegally you won’t be able to stay,” Sunak told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
New legislation to tackle the problem is expected to be published on Tuesday, the newspaper reported, after more than 45,000 people made the perilous crossing last year.
Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a deal to send tens of thousands of migrants, many of whom have made the journey from Afghanistan, Syria or other countries at war, to more than 4 000 miles (6,400 km) to Rwanda.
Politics faced a legal battle after the first scheduled deportation flight was blocked by a last-minute injunction granted by the European Court of Human Rights. It was ruled legal by the High Court in London in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict.
Asked on Sky News if those arriving in Britain illegally would be banned from claiming asylumgovernment minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: ‘I believe so, yes.
“If people come to this country illegally, they will be sent back or sent somewhere like Rwanda.”
Asked how genuine asylum seekers could find refuge, Heaton-Harris said: “I’m absolutely sure there will be safer and legal routes.”
Under pressure from its own legislators to find a solution to the flow of migrants arriving in Britain Across the Channel from Europe, Sunak has made stopping small boats one of its top five priorities.
“Make no mistake, if you come here illegally you won’t be able to stay,” Sunak told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.
New legislation to tackle the problem is expected to be published on Tuesday, the newspaper reported, after more than 45,000 people made the perilous crossing last year.
Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a deal to send tens of thousands of migrants, many of whom have made the journey from Afghanistan, Syria or other countries at war, to more than 4 000 miles (6,400 km) to Rwanda.
Politics faced a legal battle after the first scheduled deportation flight was blocked by a last-minute injunction granted by the European Court of Human Rights. It was ruled legal by the High Court in London in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict.
Asked on Sky News if those arriving in Britain illegally would be banned from claiming asylumgovernment minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: ‘I believe so, yes.
“If people come to this country illegally, they will be sent back or sent somewhere like Rwanda.”
Asked how genuine asylum seekers could find refuge, Heaton-Harris said: “I’m absolutely sure there will be safer and legal routes.”
