The prime minister said he is “not interested” in pursuing a deal with his Irish counterparts to return asylum seekers from the EU via Ireland to the UK “when the EU doesn’t accept returns back to France where illegal migrants are coming from”.
It comes as Ireland’s deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin co-chaired a meeting of the British Irish InterGovernmental Conference (BIIGC) in London with Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
Speaking to ITV News the prime minister said: “Of course we’re not going to do that”, adding: “I’m focused on getting our Rwanda scheme up and running.”
In a joint press conference following the meeting, Mr HeatonHarris suggested the issue of asylum seekers crossing to the Republic of Ireland was an indication the UK’s Rwanda scheme was working as a deterrent.
Mr Heaton-Harris said: “The UK’s new deterrent is clearly working and having some impact already. We will obviously monitor all this very closely and continue to work with the Irish government on these matters.”
The cabinet minister also said while the deterrent effect of the Rwanda scheme was anticipated “we are slightly surprised that it manifested itself so quickly after the Act became law”.
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 30, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
McLaren leads the pack as Red Bull are being reeled in
A lap or two more. That's all Lando Norris needed, he insisted, to overhaul Max Verstappen at the end of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday and stand on the top step of the podium for the second race running.
Fighting talk: what Usyk's win over Fury means for heavyweight Joshua bout
Saudis banking on a blockbuster fight but it's not that simple
Hayes leaves on high having transformed women's game
A fairytale fifth Women's Super League title in a row leaves the departing Chelsea boss with not 'another drop to give'
Slot confirmed as Reds boss
Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Arne Slot as their new head coach, with the Dutchman signing a three-year contract at Anfield.
Average house price hits.record high of £375,000
Mortgage rates cut by banks HSBC UK, Barclays and TSB
ANATOMY LESSON
Demi Moore's performance in body horror 'The Substance' has won her rave reviews. It's another role that allows the star to subvert her physical form on celluloid, writes Adam White
'Muddling' is the new norm for stressed parents like me
With childcare costs spiralling, friends, family and even dog walkers are being roped in at the last minute to take care of the kids. But this is no solution, argues Charlotte Cripps
Weighty subject matter
Though many consider it the ultimate compliment, Sarah Jessica Parker recently said she doesn't like being skinny. Stop talking about weight altogether, says Helen Coffey
My split-save tickets look slightly odd - is it a scam?
Q I’ve just booked some train tickets from Manchester to London this weekend via what appears to be a ticket-splitting website.
Why many are crying foul over Man City's dominance
An inquiry into alleged financial breaches and penetrating questions about football club ownership loom over a recordbreaking fourth league title in a row, writes Miguel Delaney