First asylum seeker's flight to Rwanda proves that our policy is working, minister insists

THE voluntary departure to Rwanda of a failed asylum seeker shows the Government’s flagship policy is working, a Cabinet minister claimed today as the father of a seven-year-old girl who died on a Channel small boat gave a harrowing account of her death.

- Maritn Bentham

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said the decision of the unnamed migrant to accept a £3,000 payment to be flown to the African country on Monday showed it was a safe destination and that forced removals would follow.

She added that the Irish government’s admission it was seeing an influx from Britain of asylum seekers fearful of being sent to Rwanda provided further evidence of the policy’s deterrent effect.

“I’m pleased that we have finally seen one person going to Rwanda — yes it was on the voluntary scheme but it shows the point about Rwanda not being safe to be untrue because people are volunteering to go,” Ms Badenoch said.

“The scheme is working, as we have seen with the comments from the Irish government as well. This is something that we need to do to police our borders.”