Esther McVey clashed with Labour’s Emily Thornberry over the Rwanda plan.
The Cabinet minister insisted the policy, aimed at stopping small boats crossing the English Channel, was already proving to be a deterrent and lashed out at Labour for attempting to thwart the scheme.
But the Labour frontbencher claimed the plan was a “gimmick” and “in tatters”.
The fiery moment on GB News came during a discussion on when flights carrying asylum seekers to the east African nation will leave the tarmac.
Ms McVey, the so-called Minister for Common Sense, said: “I think they’ve said in 10 weeks and they will be taking off.
“But we know straight away that the deterrent is already happening. People are saying we don’t want to come to the UK now because of the Rwanda policy.”
But Ms Thornerry said: “There are more people arriving illegally now than there were last year. That is not putting people off, that’s the numbers.
“That’s the truth, I’m sorry I know it’s uncomfortable but it is the truth. Your Rwanda policy is in tatters and it’s out money you’ve spent.”
The Tatton MP hit back: “The Labour Party and the Lords and we’ll call them the lefty lawyers have done everything to stop the Rwanda policy. How many times has Labour voted against the policy?”
The shadow attorney general replied: “I’ve voted against it as many times as I possibly can because it’s a gimmick.”
Ms McVey added: “You do nothing to stop immigration coming in, both legal and illegal.”
Ms Thornberry said Labour would look to strike a migrant returns deal with the EU as part of a series of measures aimed at getting a grip on the Channel crisis.
But Ms McVey pointed out that only a small number were sent back under the pre-Brexit Dublin Agreement.
It comes as Rishi Sunak is looking to get flights carrying migrants to Kigali off the ground by July after the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act became law last week.
