PRESS RELEASE : Rwanda Plan – Immoral and Ineffective [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Liberal Democrats on 19 December 2022.

Responding to the High Court ruling the Rwanda asylum plan to be legal, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said:

“Whether or not it is lawful, the Conservatives’ Rwanda asylum plan is immoral, ineffective and incredibly costly for taxpayers.

“It will do nothing to stop dangerous Channel crossings or combat people smuggling and human trafficking; instead it will give criminal gangs more power and profits.

“The Conservatives are betraying the UK’s proud tradition of providing sanctuary to refugees fleeing war and persecution, and breaching our commitments under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

“Instead of wasting taxpayers’ money defending this policy through the courts, the Government should be focusing on stopping these dangerous crossings and tackling the smugglers and traffickers by providing safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees.”