Former prime minister Theresa May has criticised the government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. Mrs May told the Commons she did not support the policy due to her concerns over whether it met standards on “legality, practicality and efficacy”. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the scheme would be “a major blow to […]
By Ione Wells Westminster correspondent Priti Patel’s top civil servant warned her there was not enough evidence of the “deterrent effect” of the plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. In a letter, Matthew Rycroft said the policy’s value for money relied on it reducing illegal Channel crossings. He said while there […]
By Doug Faulkner BBC News The UK’s proposal to send some migrants who arrive in Britain on small boats to Rwanda is a breach of international law, the UN’s refugee agency has said. The UNHCR called it a “troubling development” and said the UK was seeking to “shift responsibility”. The pilot scheme would see people […]
Some asylum seekers who cross the Channel to the UK will be given a one-way ticket to Rwanda under new government plans. The pilot scheme will focus on single men arriving on boats or lorries. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the £120m scheme would “save countless lives” from human trafficking. Refugee organisations have criticised the […]
Russia-Ukraine war Prime Minister Boris Johnson has held talks in Kyiv with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. No 10 said the visit was a “show of solidarity” with the Ukrainian people. Following the meeting, Downing Street said the UK would send 120 armoured vehicles and anti-ship missile systems to support Ukraine. Senior officials in Mr […]
A security guard at the British embassy in Berlin suspected of spying for Russia has been extradited to appear in court charged with nine offences under the Official Secrets Act. David Ballantyne Smith, 57, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. The UK national was arrested by German police on 10 August. […]
Russia-Ukraine war Russia’s “despicable attacks” on innocent Ukrainian civilians in Bucha and Irpin are “yet more evidence” of war crimes, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. He described Russian President Vladimir Putin as desperate amid his “failing invasion” – and said the UK would step up sanctions and military support. The BBC’s Jeremy Bowen said […]
By Mary O’Connor BBC News Russia-Ukraine war Boris Johnson has been criticised for comparing the struggle of Ukrainians fighting Russia’s invasion to people in Britain voting for Brexit. In a speech he said Britons, like Ukrainians, had the instinct “to choose freedom” and cited the 2016 vote to leave the EU as a “recent example”. […]
By Dominic Casciani Home and legal correspondent The Supreme Court has refused to allow Julian Assange latest appeal against extradition to the United States. A court spokesman said Mr Assange’s application did not raise “an arguable point of law”. The decision is a major blow to his hopes to avoid extradition. The Wikileaks founder, 50, […]
By Joseph Lee BBC News World leaders must mount a renewed effort to ensure Russia’s “horrific” invasion of Ukraine fails, Boris Johnson has said. Writing in the New York Times, the prime minister said “it is not future historians but the people of Ukraine who will be our judge”. Mr Johnson set out a six-point […]
