Sunak confirms Rwanda flights will take off in 10 to 12 weeks

The first flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda will leave in 10 to 12 weeks, Rishi Sunak has today said (22 April). The prime minister said “enough is enough” as he said MPs and peers would sit through the night if necessary to get the Safety of Rwanda Bill through Parliament. At a Downing Street press conference he blamed Labour opposition to the scheme for the delays, but vowed: “We will start the flights and we will stop the boats.” The prime minister said an airfield was on standby and charter flights had been booked to take asylum seekers on the one-way trip to Rwanda. Mr Sunak said: “No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda.” Watch more on Independent TV: Click here to subscribe to The Independent: About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for