Political commentators Reem Ibrahim and Scarlett Mccgwire were involved in a bitter GB News row over whether the Rwanda plan is a morally acceptable thing to implement.
Mccgwire made the argument that sending asylum seekers to the African country is not the right thing to do due to its supposed lack of a functioning democracy.
Ibrahim was of the opinion that suggesting Rwanda is an unsafe place was “disingenuous” as she lashed out at the ex-Labour adviser’s comments.
The pair were reacting to the Rwanda Bill becoming law after Sunak was finally able to break the parliamentary deadlock that had lasted for weeks.
Reem Ibrahim and Scarlett Mccgwire clashed on GB News
GB NEWS
The move has finally paved the way for deportation flights to get off the ground in a boost for Rishi Sunak who had desperately sought a deterrent for migrants making Channel crossings in small boats.
“Rwanda has made huge strides politically”, said Ibrahim.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
“We know the Rwandan genocide had a huge effect, about 10 per cent of the population were wiped out in the 90s.
“Since then, over the last 30 years, Rwanda’s GDP has increased by about 8.1 per cent, there has been huge strides and I think it’s disingenuous to say the Rwanda policy doesn’t align with our values.”
Mccgwire hit back: “Rwanda is not Libya, it’s not Syria, it’s not terrible but it’s not a functioning democracy.
“99 per cent of people voted for the president. In a proper democracy, that does not happen.
The row broke out on GB News
GB NEWS
Darren Grimes stepped in to mediate the row
GB NEWS
“We have a terrible asylum system but one person a month cannot be sent back to Rwanda for fear of their lives.
“I could go on holiday to Rwanda, the problem is if you’re an opponent. I can say on television here that the ‘government is rubbish’, if I said that in Rwanda, I would be in trouble.”
Ibrahim waded in on the discussion to hit back, saying she thinks it is “incredibly offensive” for Mccgwire to write off a “whole African continent” as unsafe.
“Rwanda is not safe”, Mccgwire said. “There is no functioning democracy and it’s very dangerous.”
Ibrahim then hit out at the argument to suggest she is using an “imperialist” perspective.
“That’s entirely wrong, to mischaracterise entire countries”, she said.
“I am saying that Rwanda does not have a functioning democracy” Mccgwire reaffirmed.
One argument did prompt tensions to dissipate as the pair agreed that they don’t believe the policy will be effective.
The Prime Minister will be hoping it can work in time for the general election, where the migrant crisis is likely to be a key issue.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has insisted spending money on the policy will be “absolutely worth it” and the Government would “keep those flights going until we stop the boats”.