Take off! The first failed asylum seeker is flown to Rwanda

A MIGRANT has been removed to Rwanda voluntarily in a crucial first step for the Government’s asylum policy, it emerged last night.

The unnamed African man was handed about £3,000 in British taxpayers’ money in exchange for agreeing to go to Kigali.

Ministers revealed the voluntary scheme in March as an addition to the compulsory removals which is due to launch by mid-July.

Officials believe the departure – first reported by the Sun – is a significant ‘proof of concept’ for the main scheme.

The man was removed on a commercial flight on Monday evening. His bid to claim asylum was rejected at the end of last year, it is understood.

A source told the Sun: ‘This proves it’s possible and legal for Britain to remove failed asylum seekers to Rwanda successfully and smoothly.’

Under the terms of the voluntary scheme, anyone who agrees to be sent to Rwanda will receive the same terms as under the compulsory measures, including up to five years’ accommodation, employment training, healthcare and other support.

Analysis suggests Rwanda deportations could initially cost the taxpayer up to £2million per person. But ministers believe the programme will deter Channel small boat crossings and cut the £5billion-a-year cost of keeping asylum seekers in the UK.

Yvette Cooper, Labour’s Home Secretary, said last night: ‘The Tories are so desperate to get any flight off to Rwanda before the local elections that they have now just paid someone to go.’

Meanwhile, Ireland has insisted it has a deal to send asylum-seekers back to Britain despite No 10’s denials.

In an escalating war of words, Taoiseach Simon Harris claimed ‘operational arrangements’ had been acknowledged by Downing Street this week. ‘When Britain made the decision to leave the European Union, an agreement was put in place, one that was confirmed by the British Government today with regard to an operating agreement for migrants and refugees to be returned in both directions,’ he told the Irish parliament yesterday. He claimed the ‘overwhelming majority’ of those seeking asylum in Dublin have crossed over from Northern Ireland, with some claiming they are avoiding deportation to Rwanda.

But No 10 claimed Britain was not legally obliged to accept failed asylum seekers from Ireland. Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said there was an ‘operational procedure’ but said it was not ‘binding’.