Its a relief for Prime Minister rishi sunak who hopes that, barring any last minute legal objections, flights to rwanda could begin within ten to 12 weeks. Official figures show the backlog of people waiting to be removed from the uk rose from nearly 1800 in july last year. To more than 50,000 a week ago. Well be live in downing street, calais and at the uk Port Of Dover in the next few minutes but first, lets speak to our africa correspondent Barbara Plett usher, whos in the rwandan capital kigali. Barbara . We have actuallyjust barbara . We have actually ust received a fi barbara . We have actually ust received a statement barbara . We have actually ust received a statement from h barbara . We have actuallyjust received a statement from the | received a statement from the government here in response to the uk finally passing the bill. The government spokesman said we are pleased the bill has been passed by parliament, however it does not alter what we have known to be true, that we
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Eastern areas, cloud, Light Rain In The South East and a cool wind along the south east and a cool wind along the north sea coast. More later. Its tuesday the 23rd of april. Asylum seekers who enter the uk illegally could be sent to rwanda after a Government Bill finally made it through parliament in the early hours, after months of delays. It declared the african country to be safe. The bill will become law within the next few days and the Prime Minister has said the first flights will leave the uk in ten to 12 weeks. Human Rights Groups described the plan as shameful. Our Political Correspondent ben wright has the details. Long after most people had gone to bed, parliament carried on working, wrestling with the issue of sending Asylum Seekers to rwanda. The governments plan had faced strong resistance in the House Of Lords. They voted for changes mps kept rejecting. My lords, this bill has now been scrutinised a number of times. The government have rejected this amendment several tim