Ross backs plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross says he will vote in favour of the proposals

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has backed the UK government's bill declaring Rwanda a safe destination for asylum seekers.

Mr Ross, who is both an MP and MSP, said he would vote for the proposals at Westminster.

It came after First Minister Humza Yousaf branded the prime minister's migration policy "morally repugnant" and "economically illiterate".

Mr Sunak said it was the "toughest immigration law ever".

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The Rwanda Bill, which must be approved by the UK Parliament, would order British judges and courts to ignore some sections of the UK Human Rights Act.

It would potentially allow ministers to ignore emergency orders from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to suspend flights to Rwanda while they are being challenged in the courts.

Mr Ross confirmed to reporters at the Scottish Parliament that he would support the bill when it came before MPs.

He said: "It's absolutely vital that we use every policy available to prevent people from making an extremely dangerous crossing - we see far too many lives lost in the English Channel.

"That's why the prime minister has looked at the ruling from the Supreme Court, he's looked at the legislation that can be brought through the UK Parliament to deter people from making that dangerous crossing, from putting their life at risk, and also to ensure the people that benefit from this currently - the people smugglers - that route is stopped from them."

First Minster Humza Yousaf says it is a "dark day" for the UK

Mr Yousaf, whose grandfather came to Scotland from Pakistan in the 1960s to work in a sewing machine factory in Clydebank, addressed the issue during First Minister's Questions.

He said: "It's a real dark day for the UK - a country that once welcomed immigrants, including my grandfather to the country, in fact, begged him to come and others to come to work in their factories, to drive buses, due to the labour shortages that were seen at that time."

He accused successive UK governments of having "dismantled" immigration asylum processes.

The first minister also took aim at proposals to increase the minimum salary from £26,200 to £38,700 for skilled overseas workers to settle in the UK.

'Morally repugnant'

"On immigration, the latest announcements mean that we're asking - the UK government is asking - migrants to come here to look after our own family members but doing so by abandoning their own family members back home," Mr Yousaf said.

"The policies of the UK government in this respect are not only morally repugnant, but they are economically illiterate."

Mr Sunak insisted his new law would end the "merry-go-round of legal challenges" after immigration minister Robert Jenrick quit rather than backing the plan.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said the UK government bill was responding to the Supreme Court's ruling that its Rwanda policy was unlawful.

"Building on our legally binding treaty, the Safety of Rwanda Bill will make absolutely clear in UK law that Rwanda is a safe country.

"This will play a key part in our efforts to stop the boats and save lives - I would urge Parliament to ensure the legislation is passed as soon as possible."