The UK Government’s plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda are “vile, deranged and unworkable,” Alliance’s Stephen Farry has said.

The North Down MP was speaking after it was revealed some asylum seekers, mostly single men, who cross the Channel to the UK will be given a one-way ticket to the African country. Refugee organisations have raised concerns, including about Rwanda’s human rights record.

“The Government’s plans for offshoring asylum seekers to Rwanda are vile, deranged and unworkable,” said Dr Farry.

“The plans would strip refugees of their basic humanity, and are a blatant breach of international law - specifically the UK’s commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

“The public want the Prime Minister and Chancellor to resign, not to see retribution for the most vulnerable people in our society. This is yet another example of distraction politics from an increasingly corrupt and authoritarian Government.”