Unlawful migrants may very well be despatched to Ascension Island in ‘plan B’ if Rwanda fails

Ministers are reportedly contemplating sending unlawful migrants to Ascension Island as a “plan B” if the Rwanda coverage fails.

The British abroad territory within the South Atlantic may host an asylum processing centre.

Ministers are mentioned to imagine the small volcanic island’s distant location 4,000 miles from the UK could be a deterrent for migrants making the harmful journey throughout the Channel.

The proposal, beforehand checked out underneath Boris Johnson’s authorities, has been revived as a part of a variety of contingency measures being thought of in case the Rwanda plan must be deserted.

The Government can be in negotiations with a minimum of 5 different international locations, all believed to be in Africa, for related offers to the one agreed with Kigali final 12 months.

A senior authorities supply advised The Times: “It’s pragmatic to contemplate all choices and it is smart to attract up proposals to cease the boats that would work alongside our Rwanda coverage.

“We’re still confident that our Rwanda scheme is lawful, but having alternative proposals on the table would provide us with a backup if we’re frustrated legally.

“Voters would expect us to leave no stone unturned and that is the right and sensible thing to do.”

The plan to send illegal migrants on a one-way ticket to Rwanda has been stalled by legal challenges that will end up in the Supreme Court.

Safeguarding minister Sarah Dines said “instances change” when asked why the Ascension Island plan was reportedly being revived.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: “Well, instances change. We have a look at all prospects.

“This crisis in the Channel is urgent, we need to look at all possibilities and that is what we are doing.

“We are decided to ensure there is not the pull issue for unlawful migrants to come back to this nation, mainly to be abused by legal organised gangs.

“These are international operations and they have got to stop.”

The improvement comes in the course of the Government’s “small boats week” through which it’s making a sequence of bulletins on the difficulty.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has staked his premiership on curbing Channel crossings.

More than 15,000 individuals have made the perilous journey to this point this 12 months.