Boris Johnson has slammed the proposed digital ID scheme and called on the Government to bring back the Rwanda plan to tackle the illegal migration crisis.
In an exclusive interview with Ben Leo on GB News' flagship US programme, The Late Show, the former Prime Minister warned that the Government's roll-out of the Digital ID scheme would "cost an absolute fortune".
Mr Johnson told Ben: "I think it'll all it'll be HS2 online.
"It would just cost an absolute fortune and I don't know what problem it's trying to solve."
The former Prime Minister warned that the Government's roll-out of the digital ID scheme would 'cost an absolute fortune'
|GB NEWS
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
After Ben asked about the Government’s claim that the scheme would tackle illegal migration, Mr Johnson suggested an alternative solution.
He told the GB News presenter that the best way to tackle the crisis would be to "bring back Rwanda".
The ex-Prime Minister said: "You know, we face a nightmare.
"Thousands and thousands of people coming across the Channel on boats. We could have fixed it. We should have fixed it.
Mr Johnson told the GB News presenter that the best way to tackle the crisis would be to 'bring back Rwanda'
|GB NEWS
"If we had the Rwanda policy, which is basically don't let them even bounce on you. Hit them back on the volley."
Ben touched on the Government's "one in, one out" deal with France, telling Mr Johnson: "The Home Office emailed everybody last night saying the return deal is off the ground.
"Guess how many people have returned, Boris?"
The former Tory leader shook his head and noted that just 26 illegal migrants had been returned to France.
Ben touched on the Government's 'one in, one out' deal with France
|GB NEWS
DIGITAL ID SCHEME - READ THE LATEST
The Rwanda scheme was announced in April 2022 under Boris Johnson’s government, with then-Home Secretary Priti Patel spearheading the plan.
Under the proposal, certain illegal migrants arriving in Britain would be sent to the East African nation for processing and possible resettlement.
The first deportation flight was blocked by an injunction from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and the scheme was later declared unlawful by the Court of Appeal.
After Sir Keir Starmer’s election in July 2024, the scheme was scrapped, with the Prime Minister branding it a “gimmick.”
Shortly after the digital ID scheme was announced, Mr Johnson took a firm stance against the plans.
Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Prime Minister said: “I will never accept a government ID card. I will never use one.
“If asked to produce one, I will refuse — and I hope you do, too.”
A petition urging the Government not to introduce the digital ID scheme has since surged past 2.8 million signatures.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
More From GB News