UK home secretary defends controversial Rwanda asylum plan

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) - British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Tuesday defended in parliament a controversial plan to send asylum seekers to the East African nation of Rwanda.

Patel told lawmakers that access to the UK's asylum system should be based on need, not "the ability to pay" people smugglers.

"This agreement deals a major blow to the people smugglers and the evil trade in human cargo," Patel said.

Arguing that the deal would help "break the people smugglers business model" and prevent loss of life she said it would ensure protection for those who are genuinely vulnerable.

"At the heart of this approach is fairness."

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who belongs to the main opposition Labour Party, said the policy was "shameful" and that the plan essentially amounted asking Rwanda to do the job that Patel was "incapable" of doing.

Stuart McDonald, the Scottish National Party's (SNP) home affairs spokesman, said: "This is a cruel and a catastrophic policy. It will not hurt smugglers but will further seriously harm people who have fled persecution."

Importantly, the criticism of Patel came not just from opposition parties, but also from within the Conservative Party to which she belongs.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May, a former home secretary herself, told Patel in parliament: "I do not support the removal to Rwanda policy on the grounds of legality, practicality, and efficacy.​

Local media reported that over 4,600 people have arrived in the UK on small boats this year.