James Cleverly has signed a fresh treaty with Rwanda in a bid to get the stalled policy off the ground.
The Home Secretary inked the agreement alongside his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Birut in Kigali today.
The new deal comes after the Supreme Court last month ruled the policy to send asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to the African nation was unlawful in a major blow to Rishi Sunak.
Five of the UK’s most senior justices cited concerns there was a risk genuine refugees deported to Rwanda could be returned to their country of origin.
Mr Cleverly said he believes the new deal addresses the issues raised by the Supreme Court.
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But the Home Secretary could not guarantee the first flight would leave the tarmac by the spring.
Mr Cleverly said: “We want to see this part of our wider migration plan up and running as quickly as possible.
“We feel very strongly this treaty addresses all of the issues of their lordships in the Supreme Court.”
Mr Cleverly added that the UK has not paid Kigali any additional money for the fresh deal.
He also insisted Britain and Rwanda were not pursuing the partnership because it was “easy” or “buys you cheap or quick popularity”.
He said: “We do this despite the fact that it is difficult and sensitive, because if we don’t address these issues, the people that will ultimately be the winners are the people smugglers, they are the slave traders, they are the criminal gangs.
“Rwanda is stepping forward to be a thoughtful and careful partner in solving these incredibly difficult international issues.
“I think that they deserve support in doing that and I have been uncomfortable with the tone and the volume of some of the criticism directed at Rwanda for having the courage to step forward and to try and be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.”
The Prime Minister promised a new deal with Rwanda and emergency legislation to deem the country as a safe destination for asylum seekers following the Supreme Court blow in November.
The plan is seen as key to delivering on Mr Sunak’s pledge to stop small boats before the next general election.
