Illegal migrants could use Ireland as a means to head into Britain due to its “open borders”, GB News’ Dougie Beattie has stated.
It comes as the Government battles to salvage its flagship migrant policy which will see those arriving in small boats flown to Rwanda.
Should they be successful in implementing the plan, Beattie warned that the “back door” remains “wide open” due to the Republic of Ireland’s immigration policy.
It comes as the UK government bids to restore power-sharing in Stormont, with the DUP exiting the arrangement over a year ago over the Brexit border in the Irish Sea.
Rishi Sunak faces yet another immigration headache
GETTY IMAGES / GB NEWS
“Northern Ireland, through the framework document, isn’t allowed a border in the island of Ireland”, he said.
“Of course it borders the Republic of Ireland that has an open borders policy with immigration.
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Ending small boat crossings won't end the migrant crisis, according to Beattie
GB News“Even if they stop the boats coming in one door, the back door is wide open into the UK.
“It’s already been happening, a lot are coming across the border and into the UK and through the Common Travel Area.
“They are entitled to travel inside the UK once they are there.
“You could end up with the ridiculous situation where you have British citizens living in this part of the UK having to go through passport controls to get into the UK.”
Rishi Sunak faces obstacles from within his own party if he is to push ahead with the Rwanda plan.
The Prime Minister was involved in intensive efforts to persuade would-be rebels to back the legislation in a crunch Commons vote on Tuesday night, holding crisis meetings with the various factions in the Conservative Party as MPs considered their positions.
A revolt by 29 Conservative MPs could be enough to defeat the Safety of Rwanda Bill at its first Commons hurdle – something that has not happened to a piece of government legislation since 1986.
In the Commons, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “The actions that we are taking, whilst novel, whilst very much pushing at the edge of the envelope, are within the framework of international law.”
He added: “The Prime Minister has been crystal clear that he, and the Government that he leads, will not let foreign courts destroy this Rwanda plan and curtail our efforts to break the business model of those evil people-smuggling gangs.”
