Time to 'send the planes'

Shapps says there's 'no other way to solve' small boats crisis

- Michael Knowles

GRANT Shapps has declared it is "time to stop the boats and send the planes" to Rwanda to end the Channel migrant crisis.

The Defence Secretary claimed it was the only solution as he urged Labour not to obstruct Rishi Sunak's Safety of Rwanda Bill in the House of Lords.

He said Sir Keir Starmer does not have an alternative to prevent asylum seekers crossing the Channel in dangerous boats.

Peers will today debate a motion laid by former Labour attorney general Peter Goldsmith, which seeks to delay the ratification of the new Rwanda treaty until the Government can show the country is safe.

It will give the Government the first indication of how much opposition there will be in the House of Lords.