Boris Johnson’s Rwanda deportation policy is “dishonouring God”, the leading Christian in Scotland has said.
The Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said forcing asylum seekers to go to Rwanda on a one-way ticket was an “unspeakable disgrace and a stain on our nation”.
Greenshields is the latest church leader to speak out after Home Secretary Priti Patel signalled her determination to continue with the policy despite the first flight being stopped by legal challenges.
Dr Greenshields said: “As people flee oppression, violence, conflict and war, many unfortunately do not find the welcome or safe place they need.
“In the UK, the new Nationality and Borders Act 2022 threatens the very principle of refugee protection and offers protection on the grounds of how people arrive in the UK, rather than the war, terror and persecution a person may be fleeing from."
He added: “The trajectory to create a web of hostile policies to make life as difficult as possible for those seeking protection continues.
“This is an unspeakable disgrace and a stain on our nation.
“Our UK Government is putting up barriers to prevent people finding the peace and safety they need, and robs them of the opportunity to contribute their skills and experience to the communities they live in and to rebuild their lives.”
His comments come ahead of Refugee Week and echo those of Church of England bishops who described the policy as a “shame on the nation”.
The UK Government announced its asylum plan to send refugees who cross the English Channel to the African nation, in April.
However, a flight containing seven people was halted minutes before take-off on Tuesday by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling.
Patel has said the government will not be “deterred” from progressing with the policy, with future flights already planned.
She said the plans would deter others from crossing the Channel illegally but the evidence is to the contrary with over 400 boat people crossing the English Channel on the day the deportation flight was due to leave.
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