Rishi Sunak came out fighting this morning over questions about whether he really wants to stop every single illegal immigrant coming into Britain.
In a passionate showdown on Sky News, Mr Sunak was asked what success on stopping the boats would look like.
The Prime Minister told Trevor Phillips: “I’ve been precisely clear about this”.
“I do want to stop the boats, I want to end illegal migration.”
When Mr Phillips therefore inferred that the government will only achieve success on the crisis when numbers crossing reach zero, Mr Sunak accused him of “making a political point-scoring point about it”.
“Trevor, think about the alternative answer to your question! A party leader or Prime Minister sitting here and saying ‘yes, there is a level of illegal migration that I will accept’.
“How can the answer to that question be anything other than no?
“Illegal migration is wrong! It is unfair! It undermines our sense of fairness.
“People tragically lose their lives, as they did this week in the Channel. There is no amount of that that is acceptable or right.
“Anyone sitting here should be telling you they are determined, as I am, to do everything they can to end this awful trade.”
Mr Sunak also said that Ireland’s recent complaint that migrants are moving from Britain to the neighbouring country out of fear of being deported to Rwanda suggests the policy is already working.
Asked if the UK is now “exporting” the problem to Ireland, Mr Sunak said his sole focus is on the UK “and securing our borders”.
He argued that the Irish deputy PM’s comments illustrate that illegal migration is a global challenge, which is why multiple countries are now following Britain’s lead and looking to create their own Rwanda-style 3rd country partnerships.
Mr Sunak also said it shows “the deterrent is, according to your comment, already having an impact”.
“People are worried about coming here, and that demonstrates exactly what I’m saying.
“If people come to our country illegally and know they won’t be able to stay, they’re much less likely to come and that’s why the Rwanda scheme is so important.”
The Government finally passed its flagship Rwanda Bill early this week, and is aiming to see deportation flights start in 10-12 weeks.
