Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has appeared to let slip that flights to Rwanda may not take off even next year.
The interview comes after yesterday’s damning blow to the Government’s flagship immigration policy by the Supreme Court.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Hunt admitted for the first time that flights may not even get off the ground in 2024, likely meaning there will be no deportations ahead of the General Election.
He said: “We are hopeful that because of the solutions that the PM announced yesterday we will be able to get flights off to Rwanda next year”.
“We can’t guarantee that.
“We have to pass emergency legislation in the House of Commons, we have to sign a new treaty with Rwanda, but our commitment to the British people is that although the supreme court ruling was a setback we will not allow anything to get in the way of delivering the PM”s pledge to secure our borders by stopping the boats.”
His comments appear to be at odds with Rishi Sunak, who last night said Migrant flights to the African country will take off by spring.
“We will get the job done, and that involves the new treaty, and new domestic legislation, and that will clear the remaining barriers so us getting flights off as planned in the spring of next year”.
Mr Hunt’s admission also undermines the Government’s Immigration Minister, who this morning said he is “confident” the government will be able to see flights take off to Rwanda next year, adding it is “absolutely critical” they happen in the spring.
The Chancellor has now been accused of saying “the quiet bit out loud” in the face of overly optimistic statements from others in the Government.
