First Minister describes Rwanda asylum seeker plans as 'despicable'
UK Government proposals would see those who cross the channel in small boats flown to Rwanda to have their claims processed
The First Minister has described plans to process some asylum seekers in Rwanda as "despicable", while Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has accused the UK Government of being institutionally racist.
Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to sign a deal with the African nation which would see those who cross the English Channel in small boats flown to Rwanda to have their claims processed.
Immigration plan met with widespread condemnation
Refugee charities and Labour have already condemned the plan, with shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper saying it is "unworkable, unethical and extortionate".
Addressing the proposals on Twitter, Scottish First Minister Ms Sturgeon said: "A despicable policy on its own terms.
"But add the fact that it's being set out today to distract from #partygate and you see the utter moral bankruptcy of this Tory government laid bare. Shameful."
Scottish Health Secretary Mr Yousaf tweeted: "UK Govt rightly provides asylum and refuge to Ukrainians fleeing war, but wants to send others seeking asylum thousands of miles away to Rwanda for 'processing' - and you still question whether this heartless Tory Govt is institutionally racist?"
Ian Blackford, the SNP's Westminster leader, described the UK Government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as "evil".
But Boris Johnson has been defending the plans, claiming the measures are "the humane and the compassionate thing to do".
He told a press conference in Kent: "The numbers were high last year, but this year they're going to be even higher. There's no doubt about it.
"I mean, they already are just in the first few months of this year. They are higher than they were over the comparable period last year. They are growing.
A 'humane and passionate' way to disrupt people smugglers
"The people smugglers are now becoming very adept. They are getting their boats, these frail, frail things that you will have seen. They are getting them in huge numbers, it looks as though they are being manufactured to order in China.
"They have a whole system going now. And we needed a humane and compassionate way to interrupt their business model.
"I think the deal we are doing with Rwanda is an essential part of the solution, but it is not the total solution. It is one of several steps that we're taking to beat the problem."
Are the plans being announced to distract from partygate?
But the plans have been described as a "cynical distraction" from the partygate scandal by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
Sir Ed also said he expected the Prime Minister to be issued with further fines over the scandal.
The Lib Dem leader was in the Port of Ardersier in the Scottish Highlands on Thursday amid campaigning for the local elections.
He told journalists: "First of all, this policy just won't work - clearly, obviously won't work.
"It won't stop people getting onboard the boats of illegal smugglers.
"They've provided no evidence to suggest that this new policy will stop that illegal smuggling, they're not cracking down on the organised crime gangs, which is what you need to do."