Suella Braverman refuses to confirm if Rwanda flights will go ahead this summer

Suella Braverman has refused to confirm if flights to Rwanda will depart this summer. The Home Secretary was grilled on the Government’s record on illegal migration during TV appearances on Sunday morning.

Speaking on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday about the scheme, she did not say when it would be going ahead. Instead she told the programme: “We are making very steady progress.

“I am not going to give a deadline as to when flights will take off.” The Government’s plan to forcibly remove migrants to the African nation is currently grounded by the courts. It was deemed lawful by the High Court, but legal challenges continue.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says internet gossip is 'part of the reason' she resigned

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ms Braverman have said that “stopping the boats” across the Channel is a crucial priority, but campaigners have condemned much of the Government’s response, with the controversial Illegal Migration Bill described as an effective “asylum ban”.

Later on the BBC, Ms Braverman declined to confirm a Sun On Sunday report that ministers are close to signing a contract with Portland Port Authority over “floating accommodation for asylum seekers”. The plans, unveiled earlier this week, sparked further controversy.

She told the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that ministers were looking at “all sorts of land and sites and vessels” for migrant accommodation.

She said: “We’re talking to a lot of operators. A lot of owners of lots of different kinds of property around the country. We’ve announced sites earlier this week.

“Those are sites where we have a level of confidence we’re able to be public about those sites. We’re aiming to roll out these sites very quickly and start making them fit