The Prince of Wales has reportedly labelled the UK Government’s plan to transport migrants to Rwanda as “appalling”.
The controversial policy, drawn up by Home Secretary Priti Patel, will see people who arrive in the UK illegally face deportation and sent 4,000 miles away. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
The Times has reported that Prince Charles has criticised the policy ahead of a meeting he will attend in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, in the coming weeks. A source told the newspaper: “He (Prince Charles) said he was more than disappointed at the policy. He said he thinks the government’s whole approach is appalling. It was clear he was not impressed with the government’s direction of travel.”
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Clarence House has not denied that the Prince is opposed to the migrant policy, according to the Mirror, which asked for a response to the reports. A spokesperson for Clarence House said: “We would not comment on supposed anonymous private conversations with the Prince of Wales, except to restate that he remains politically neutral. Matters of policy are decisions for government.”
The reported comments from Prince Charles come after The High Court refused to block asylum seekers from being deported to Rwanda as early as next week. Some migrants due to be sent to the country had asked the court to block the move, but Judge Mr Justice Swift said there was a “material public interest” in allowing Priti Patel to implement her plans. Read here about why Kate Middleton is pictured regularly with plasters on her hands.
Despite the decision, the judge said that claimants would be able to appeal the decision on Monday, and those campaigning against the move have not given up hope that it will be blocked. Sonya Sceats, chief executive of Freedom From Torture, said: “We are disappointed that the court did not grant this injunction to ensure that nobody is sent to Rwanda before Boris Johnson’s cruel policy can be subjected to proper legal scrutiny.
“But the fight is far from over. Caring people across Britain are incensed that this Government wants to send people seeking safety halfway across the world and are taking action.”
