Braverman insists Rwanda policy is 'humane' but is unable to give start date

Suella Braverman has claimed that being forcibly deported to Rwanda is "not a punishment" for crossing the English Channel, as asylum seekers told The Independent they would "prefer to die" than undergo removal.

- LIZZIE DEARDEN BEL TREW

The home secretary said the policy would "deter more people" despite small boat arrivals rocketing to new records since it was announced in April.

Ms Braverman refused to give a start date for flights to Kigali after the High Court ruled yesterday that the policy was lawful, suggesting potential appeals would have to finish first.

Charities have vowed to continue fighting the "grotesque" plans, and further legal challenges could be brought by people selected for deportation.

Judges overturned eight removal decisions because the Home Office did not "properly consider the circumstances" of the asylum seekers, ordering it to reconsider those cases.

"Being relocated to Rwanda is not a punishment, but an innovative way of addressing a major problem to redress the imbalance between illegal and legal migration routes," Ms Braverman told the House of Commons.

"It is a humane and practical alternative for those who come here through dangerous, illegal and unnecessary routes. By making it clear that they cannot expect to stay in the UK, we will deter more people from coming here and make such routes unviable."

Several Conservative MPs asked the home secretary when flights would start, with none having been organised since an aborted attempt in June.

The home secretary did not give a time estimate but vowed to "vigorously defend" any further legal challenges, adding: "Once the litigation process has come to an end we will move swiftly to operationalise the agreement."