The Deputy Prime Minister has defended Rishi Sunak saying he was “absolutely right” to warn that illegal migration could “overwhelm” Europe.
During a visit to Italy the Prime Minister met with Italian Conservatives and right-wingers in Rome where he suggested changes to global refugee law are needed to curb illegal migration.
Sunak spoke to members of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, which has raised concerns over the language used to describe migrants.
Speaking with Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Oliver Dowden, said, “I think the Prime Minister is absolutely right to issue this warning, and indeed it’s not just a warning, it’s something that we have seen elsewhere we have seen the weaponisation of migration, for example, in the conduct of Belarus in relation to Poland, there’s been warnings from Finland in respect of the conduct of Russia.
“There’s a broader point here, which is that we do have to reassure people that we have got control of our borders and we cannot have this unsustainable situation where we’re enriching people smugglers – the worst people on the earth.”
Speaking of the Rwanda Bill which was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court, Dowden said that the government are open to a compromise over amendments.
Dowden said, “We will listen to our colleagues about how we can improve this legislation, of course we will.
“I think this is a good piece of legislation that does the job, which is about ensuring that we control migration.”
Dowden added, “Of course, we don’t rule out amendments and, of course, we will engage with that – that’s what happens with any piece of parliamentary legislation.
“What I would say, though, is that the Prime Minister is a pretty rigorous person, he’s looked through this very carefully, turned it upside down, shaken it around, he’s pretty sure this is the best thing we can get.
“But, of course, if there are other ways of improving it, we’ll be open to doing that.”
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