No 10 hits back at Emmanuel Macron's jibe that the Rwanda scheme is a 'betrayal' of European values
Downing Street hit back at Emmanuel Macron last night after the French President condemned Rishi Sunak's flagship scheme to deport Channel migrants to Rwanda as a 'betrayal' of European values.
In an incendiary intervention, President Macron said he did not believe in 'this model that some people want to put in place, which means that you go and look for a third country, for example in Africa, and send our immigrants there'.
He suggested the scheme would be 'ineffective', adding: 'This is a betrayal of our values and will lead us down the path of new dependencies on third countries.'
Downing Street dismissed the claim, saying the plan was 'entirely compliant with our international obligations'.
Number 10 has dismissed claims by France that Rishi Sunak's Rwanda scheme is a 'betrayal' of European values
French president Emmanuel Macron said he did not believe in the model of sending immigrants to 'third countries'
Migrants are continuing to make small boat crossings despite the passing of the Rwanda scheme in Parliament earlier this week (file picture from March of migrants in the English Channel)
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: 'We don't agree, we think that our approach is the right one. In terms of breaking the business model of the criminal gangs, we need a strong deterrent.
'And we need to make clear that if you come here in a small boat, you won't be able to stay.
'We've seen other partners and other countries around the world also explore similar options.'
READ MORE: James Cleverly slams 'paternalistic' attitude of Rwanda plan opponents as law is FINALLY signed onto the statute bookAdvertisement
Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel also criticised the French President, saying: 'President Macron is clearly worried that our partnership with Rwanda will mean that fewer migrants will attempt to cross the Channel and he will need to take responsibility for dealing with their asylum applications and with the criminal gangs that are running rife in France.'
The government's Rwanda Bill finally became law yesterday after months of delay, and a new treaty designed to ensure the African country is safe for migrants also came into force.
The moves mean that Home Office officials can now start detaining the first batch of migrants destined for deportation to Rwanda ahead of the first flights this summer.
Meanwhile, Ireland's foreign minister yesterday complained that the prospect of being sent to Rwanda was already persuading some migrants to flee to his country.
Micheal Martin said Mr Sunak's 'knee jerk' policy was driving an influx of arrivals, with 80 per cent of asylum seekers in Ireland crossing the border from the north.
'I believe the Rwanda effect is impacting on Ireland. And I think that didn't happen today or yesterday. It's been growing since the first iteration and publication of that strategy around Rwanda,' he said.
'I don't think anyone's gone to Rwanda yet but to me it's reflective of a policy. It is having real impact on Ireland now in terms of people being fearful in the UK - maybe that's the impact it was designed to have.'
Related articles
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
ATLANTA (AP) — Yu Darvish dominated a slumping Braves offense and extended his career-high scoreless2024-05-21MotoGP racing for new momentum in America, with hopes of riding an F1
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A new American team with ties to the NASCAR stock car series, a new television2024-05-21Apple CEO says company is 'looking at' manufacturing in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company is “looking at” manufacturing in Indon2024-05-21UK inflation falls to lowest level since late 2021 as food prices ease further
LONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. fell to its lowest level in two and a half years in March after2024-05-21NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 98
DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards overcame a slow start and the Timberwolves roared back from a 20-point2024-05-21Who will win the NHL's top awards this season? Here are AP's predictions
Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Toronto’s Au2024-05-21
atest comment