Flights carrying migrants to Rwanda will take off “after the election”, Rishi Sunak has conceded, as he urged voters to back him at the polls if they want to see this happen.
The Prime Minister made the admission as he toured the broadcast studios ahead of a two-day trip across the UK to mark the start of the campaign.
Mr Sunak called the election on Wednesday night in a rain-soaked press statement in Downing Street, with the date set for July 4.
He and his ministers have repeatedly marked early July for when the first one-way deportation flight for migrants to east African nation Rwanda will take place.
Speaking to LBC, the Prime Minister conceded these will now take off “after the election”.
“If I’m elected, we will get the flights off,” he said.
Pressed further on timing, he said: “No, after the election.
“The preparation work has already gone on.”
Speaking to GB News, he had earlier said: “If you elect me, if I’m Prime Minister on July 5, those flights will go off to Rwanda and we will begin to put in place the deterrent that we need to stop the boats.
“Because there is no way to stop this problem unless you can have a deterrent, unless it’s clear that if someone comes to our country illegally they won’t be able to stay and they will be removed.
“Unless you’re able to deliver that people will keep coming.”
