Joe Biden has been criticised for appearing to have moved the goal posts on a UK-US trade deal once again, suggesting that the Rwanda deal has jeopardised a potential partnership
Joe Biden has been criticised for appearing to have moved the goal posts on a UK-US trade deal once again, suggesting that the Rwanda deal has jeopardised a potential partnership.
The US President has previously warned that a US trade deal is "contingent" upon respect for the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland.
Responding to the UK's threats to leave the European Convention on Human Rights in order to get the Rwanda deal off the ground, a senior whitehouse official told the New York Times they are "Definitely all keeping an eye on Northern Ireland".
Meanwhile, the US State Department said: "Our priority remains protecting the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, and preserving peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland."
Speaking to GB News, senior Conservative MP David Jones accused Biden of "anti-British sentiments", claiming that his "personal prejudices" could sour the Anglo-British relationship.
While Conservative Party Deputy Chairman Lee Anderson mocked Biden for the intervention, advising him to focus on his own "illegal migration crisis".
He joked: "It's very kind of President Biden to offer his pearls of wisdom to the UK whilst we are desperate to get the Rwanda Scheme working to help solve our illegal migration crisis.
"Perhaps his time would be better spent sorting out America's illegal migration crisis that is in the millions and once he has the solution he can let us know.
"Meanwhile we will crack on with our own ideas."
Jones, who is the Deputy Chairman of the European Research Group, added: "The President has a record of making anti-British statements. This is deeply regrettable.
"He should perhaps reflect that the United Kingdom is the strongest ally of the US and that the Anglo-American relationship is of crucial importance at such a critical time in global politics.
"It would be a great pity if he allowed his personal prejudices to sour that relationship."
The Government has been exploring options to withdraw from international treaties after the Supreme Court ruled that it would be unlawful for the UK to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, in a major blow to the Government.
All five justices unanimously agreed with the Court of Appeal’s conclusion that the Rwanda policy was unlawful.
Delivering his judgement, Lord Reed noted that "the court of appeal was right to overturn the high court's decision and to consider the evidence again for itself".
He cited concerns about "media and political freedom", the country's "poor human rights record" and a "misunderstanding of its obligations under the Refugee Convention".
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The Prime Minister said he will introduce emergency legislation declaring Rwanda a safe country, telling the public: “I do not agree with this decision but I respect it and accept it. The rule of law is fundamental to our democracy. We have prepared for all outcomes of this case. And so we have been working on a new international treaty with Rwanda.
“This will provide a guarantee in law that those who are relocated from the UK to Rwanda will be protected against removal from Rwanda and it will make clear that we will bring back anyone if ordered to do so by a court."
