PM: You Must Let Us Deport Illegal Migrants

RISHI Sunak last night told European judges that it was time for them to stop meddling in Britain's plans to fly illegal migrants to Rwanda.

- Sam Lister

The Prime Minister said that Strasbourg must start being fair and transparent, after secret late-night court rulings left deportation flights grounded in the UK.

Mr Sunak's words came as he struck a deal with the EU to toughen up border security.

While attending a summit of European leaders in Iceland the PM vowed that his government will not rest until we stop the boats.

He said that the Rwanda deportation plan is novel and ambitious but does comply with the UK’s international obligations. He went on: We want to make sure the European court is always conducting itself in a way that is fair, that is effective, that is transparent.”

The Council of Europe summit began a week of intense international diplomacy, with the PM today heading to the G7 in Japan.

Mr Sunak last night insisted that the UK has a long track record” of leading reform linked to the European Court of Human Rights, as he pushed for alterations to rules that are holding back his Goverment’s attempts to tackle illegal mass migration.

The Premier has toughened the Illegal Migration Bill that is before peers, to give ministers the power to ignore interim Rule 39 injunctions from the ECHR.

He wants the rule changed so there is greater accountability, following closed-doors rulings that go against UK policy.

Rights

In talks with ECHR boss Siofra O’Leary he called for changes to Rule 39 decisions, and warned illegal migration is not just a UK issue.

A No1l0 spokesman said: The Prime Minister and court president discussed the importance of protecting human _ rights, democracy and the rule of law throughout Europe. The Prime Minister stressed the need to ensure all of Europe is working together to uphold these values and tackle the challenges we face, including illegal migration.”