UK took in 76 asylum seekers fleeing Rwanda as policy driven by 'rank hypocrisy'

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It’s been revealed that thousands of Rwandans have sought asylum in European countries in the past five years – though experts believe this could be a fraction of the total number

Britain took in asylum seekers from Rwanda even as Home Secretary Priti Patel drew up plans to send refugees fleeing other countries there.

Since 2017, 76 Rwandans have sought sanctuary in the UK, and 20 of them were granted some form of leave to remain, including two just last year.

Meanwhile 3,610 Rwandans have sought asylum in European countries in the past five years.

Experts say this may be a fraction of the total number fleeing the country, as many seek refuge elsewhere in Africa.

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The Tories were tonight accused of hypocrisy for saying Rwanda is “one of the safest countries” despite reports that critics of its government are jailed, tortured and go missing.

The UK government’s own travel advice for Rwanda warns: “LGBT individuals can experience discrimination and abuse.”

Labour’s Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “We knew that Priti Patel’s Rwanda deal is both unworkable and eye-wateringly expensive.

“But now we also know that it’s driven by rank hypocrisy, because it’s based on sending people to a country from which thousands are already fleeing.”

A raft of charities and experts also slammed the Government. Lewis Mudge of charity Human Rights Watch said extrajudicial executions occur in Rwanda.

And Enver Solomon of the Refugee Council said exporting traumatised people to Rwanda was “cruel and inhumane”.