First Channel migrants told they’re going to Rwanda

THE first migrants have been told they face being sent 4,000 miles to Rwanda to claim asylum, Priti Patel said last night.

The Home Secretary confirmed the first batch of illegal migrants had been handed official confirmation that they would be the guinea pigs for the controversial scheme.

Officials refused to say how many people were in the group but they are thought to have arrived by dinghy from France.

Home Office guidance shows migrants who arrive in Britain from Monday will be a ‘priority’ for the scheme.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that there were 51 arrivals on Monday. None landed yesterday because of poor sea conditions.

Miss Patel said: ‘The first group of illegal migrants with no right to be in the UK have been informed of our intention to relocate them to Rwanda under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership.’

It comes after 56 migrants were rescued from the Channel and taken back to France on Monday when their motorboat broke down. The group included seven children.