PM: Rwanda planes on standby

New staff ready for flights and no Euro court ruling will stop us, vows Sunak

- Nicholas Cecil and Jitendra Joshi

CHARTER flights have been booked to fly migrants to Rwanda within weeks, Rishi Sunak has announced as he vowed to ram his controversial Rwanda Bill through Parliament tonight.

The Prime Minister unveiled details of his plan to stop the “small boats” Channel crossings as he sought to pile pressure on peers to bow to the will of the Commons over the deportation Bill.

“Enough is enough,” he said at a mid-morning press conference, as he said votes on the Bill would take place “no matter how late”. He added: “No ifs, no buts, these flights are going to Rwanda.” He argued that the plan, which some peers believe is unlawful, was an “indispensable deterrent” and included:

⬤ An airfield “on standby” for deportation flights.

⬤ Commercial charter planes booked for “specific slots”.

⬤ Some 500 people trained to escort “illegal migrants” to Rwanda, with 300 more being trained in coming weeks.

⬤ Detention spaces increased by 2,200.

 ⬤ About 200 case workers ready to process claims.