Scarborough and Whitby's MP: 'Sending Channel migrants to Rwanda is a good idea'
Sir Robert Goodwill, who also used to be Immigration Minister, has been reacting to the plan announced by the Government last week
Scarborough and Whitby's MP says sending migrants who have crossed the Channel to East Africa is a good idea.
Sir Robert Goodwill, who also used to be Immigration Minister, has been reacting to the plan announced by the Government last week.
It involves them being sent to Rwanda to be processed with the aim of discouraging people trafficking.
It has been met with criticism from some who think it is cruel.
Sir Robert says he has yet to see a better idea, adding: "The only credible solution I've seen to try to stop this dreadful trade, often ending in people dying in the Mediterranean, dying in the English Channel, people being trafficked into modern slavery, sweat shops, nail bars and prostitution.
"This, I believe, will make a difference in preventing these people from coming to the UK who, let's face it, are escaping from France, a safe country, and allow us to actually get on with helping those who really need the help like women and children from Ukrain and people from Syria.
"With 28,500 people arriving into this country last year with many hotels, bed and breakfasts and accommodations being taken up, we need to do something to break the business model of the people smugglers and stop this dreadful trade which has resulted in deaths.
"90 percent are young men, why are there so few women? Why are the people smugglers or their families not interested in paying for women to come across? I'd be delighted to hear an alternative from critics of this plan.