DUP MP says Sunak's 'panicked' Rwanda plan could result in checks on people travelling inside the UK

The East Antrim MP said the Rwanda plans were “not thought through” – and “devised in a panic” by a government on its way out.

He also said that it is “fairly obvious that Northern Ireland could become a back door” for migrants to enter Great Britain through the proposals – which may not be fully applicable here because of the NI Protocol.

Meanwhile, the TUV leader has written to the secretary of state seeking legal clarity on the Rwanda bill’s remit here.

The Safety of Rwanda Bill – Rishi Sunak’s latest attempt to enact his policy to deport illegal immigrants – has come under fire from critics within the Tory party for not going far enough.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said it needs to override international conventions in order to succeed.

But Mr Sunak said the bill “blocks every single reason that has ever been used to prevent flights to Rwanda from taking off”.

The prime minister brought forward his latest proposals to overcome legal objections by the Supreme Court.

They would allow the government to bypass parts of the Human Rights Act to allow deportations to Rwanda.

However, the UK is bound by international law – under the Windsor Framework – to maintain certain rules in Northern Ireland.

Jim Allister has written to the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris asking for clarity on the legal situation.

Mr Allister said the government’s bill makes Northern Ireland “a potential haven for illegal immigrants but it underscores, again, in legislation our detached position in the UK as the only part still subject to foreign EU law”.

He said that’s because Article Two of the protocol enforces the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights in NI.

The TUV leader said the charter “is not included in the bill as among the coterie of human rights provisions being set aside. Thus, it will remain in full force in NI and thereby afford any illegal immigrant that HMG seeks to deport from NI protections and legal arguments nullified elsewhere in the UK”.

The Windsor Framework has been at the centre of political controversy over NI’s trading relationship with GB, but it also legally commits the UK to ensure “no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity” in Northern Ireland.

Alliance MP Stephen Farry said: “It is bizarre to see some people complaining that Northern Ireland would not have quite the same draconian legislation as the rest of the UK.

“The Rwanda policy isn't an effective so-called 'deterrent' in any event, and we are unlikely to see any displacement of refugees flows as a consequence.”

The party’s deputy leader added: “I am concerned at the implications of the Rwanda Bill both for how readily asylum seekers can access domestic courts and for any wider unpicking of rights and protections under the Good Friday Agreement and Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.

“We could also see policing and justice cooperation under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement unravel. Already there have been implications for asylum seekers in NI from the Illegal Migration Act, and we didn't benefit from any special protection. It is important to stress that asylum seekers inside the UK are entitled to the same legal protection as anyone else.”

The News Letter asked the NIO a series of questions on what impact the legislation would have in Northern Ireland.

These included whether the government ruled out checks on people between Northern Ireland and Great Britain – and whether the secretary of state would guarantee that NI will have the same immigration rules as the rest of the UK.

The NIO didn’t respond. However, the Home Office said the law applies in the same way to the whole of the UK, including NI.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission – which has taken legal action against the government over its Rwanda policy – said the bill will have serious ramifications for the rights of migrants in Northern Ireland and “is in breach of the UK’s domestic and international human rights obligations” including under the Windsor Framework.

The EU said it had no comment to make on whether the bill is compatible with the Windsor Framework.