iz Truss has said she is the controversial Rwanda asylum scheme, in an effort to bolster support from Tory party voters in the race to succeed Boris Johnson.
The Minister of Foreign Affairssuggested in an interview with the Mail on Sunday that if Prime Minister she would expand Rwanda policy, despite being currently in a legal quandary.
Britain currently stands to lose £120 million it paid to Rwanda if the plan to deport migrants is declared illegal by the courts.
The Rwanda policy is the right policy
Officials from the East African nation’s government confirmed this week that it had received full initial payment for the agreement signed in April and that the funds have already been “committed”, with some money spent on preparations for arrivals.
The first deportation flight was grounded in June after a series of legal challenges, and another attempt is yet to be planned.
Ms Truss, who has vocally supported Rwanda’s plan, told the newspaper: “Rwanda’s policy is the right policy. I am committed to ensuring it is fully implemented and to explore other countries with which we can work on similar partnerships. It’s the right thing to do.
“I am also committed to ensuring that we have the right level of armed forces at our border. I am going to strengthen the border force to ensure that we have the right protection right at the border.”
Tory leadership rival Rishi Sunak will also reveal his immigration plans in the coming days.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Ms Truss said if she beats the former chancellor in the vote of party members, she will increase border staff from 9,000 to 10,800.
She would also put forward a strengthened UK Bill of Rights to provide a “sound legal basis” to tackle illegal migration, the paper reports.
“I am determined to end the horrific human trafficking we see,” she told the newspaper.
“I make sure things get done and I will work with my colleagues to make this a top priority.
“I understand it’s a priority for people and we need to make sure our immigration system is fair, and this illegal immigration that we’re seeing across the Channel is both unfair and incredibly dangerous, and it’s one of my priorities to make sure it’s sorted out.
“From my work as Secretary of State, I know that there are more countries we want to work with and we will make very strong progress under my leadership in those efforts.
“We need to ensure that the UK Bill of Rights fully complies with the obligation to give the UK Government the powers and the UK Parliament the sovereignty to fully implement the policy. That’s very important to me.
“Britain’s borders will be protected under my leadership and I will do whatever it takes to fully implement the Rwanda deal and also look into other arrangements with other countries. “