Macron: Rwanda policy is a betrayal of European values.

French leader savages plan just days after it clears parliament

- KATE DEVLIN ARCHIE MITCHELL TOM WATLING

French president Emmanuel Macron has denounced Rishi Sunak’s plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as the politics of “cynicism” and a betrayal of European values. Mr Macron also warned it would be “ineffective”, just days after the scheme – designed to give thousands a one-way ticket to the African country – cleared its final parliamentary hurdle in the UK.

Downing Street hit back, saying its approach was the “right one” and that other countries around the world were exploring “similar options”. The home secretary James Cleverly also spoke out against “lazy” and “distasteful” criticism of the policy, but insisted he was not talking about the president’s remarks.

Leading lawyer and cross-bench peer Alex Carlile, who fought hard against the policy in the Lords by pushing for amendments to improve the bill, told The Independent: “These are fair comments by the French president. I agree with him.”

Mr Sunak has pledged to get planes in the air to Rwanda by July, a move he argues will create a deterrent effect and stop people trying to reach the UK in small boats. But he has come under intense pressure from the United Nations and others to rethink his plans after five people died off the coast of northern France while trying to cross the Channel earlier this week. The UK pays France millions of pounds to support policing at the French coast, designed to stop migrants setting out on perilous journeys.