A top UN official has lashed out at Rishi Sunak's plan to send migrants to Rwanda, claiming it is a "fake response" to migration.
Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, accused UK politicians of "manipulating" the issue of migration "through a whole set of fake news to gain votes".
While he admitted that, ahead of elections in the US, EU and UK, there is pressure from voters over immigration issues, he added: "that is largely induced by politicians who are fuelling it".
He continued: "Manipulating it often through a whole set of fake news to gain votes.
A top UN official has lashed out at Rishi Sunak's plan to send migrants to Rwanda
PA/Flickr
"Migrants, refugees are easy targets. It is much less sexy and attractive to say 'we need to roll up our sleeves and work on these issues' rather than saying 'let's push them back and that will solve all our problems' - which it won't."
Asked by the BBC if he is referring to the UK's "stop the boats" policy and Donald Trump's "build a wall" policy, Grandi said: "Exactly. Those are fake responses which don't address even the problem of arrivals.
"The risk is there is only attention on that at the expense of the real difficult work which needs to be carried out to better manage these complex thoughts."
Sunak’s Safety of Rwanda Bill passed through the House of Commons earlier this month after the Prime Minister faced down dozens of Tory MPs over his flagship illegal immigration policy.
MPs voted by 320 to 276 to support Sunak’s proposed legislation in its third reading.
It is now facing scrutiny from peers in the House of Lords.
Sunak’s Safety of Rwanda Bill passed through the House of Commons earlier this month
Parliament TV
Giving a press conference after the Bill passed through the Commons, Sunak warned the Lords not to disrupt the passage of the bill.
He urged the House of Lords to “get on board and do the right thing” in supporting his Rwanda Bill, warning peers not to “frustrate the will of the people”.
The PM said: “There is now only one question. Will the opposition in the appointed House of Lords try and frustrate the will of the people as expressed by the elected House, or will they get on board and do the right thing? It’s as simple as that.”
Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, accused UK politicians of "manipulating" the issue of migration
Flickr
The Prime Minister said he wants to see flights taking off "as soon as practically possible", adding that the Government is "not messing around because we're also frustrated and fed up".
He said he "shares the frustration of the British people" and wants to "end this legal merry-go-round".