Launching the Conservative election manifesto, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he is prepared to lead the country out of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) if re-elected.

Though behind the Labour Party in opinion polls on the 4 July election, Sunak said the court could not be allowed to prevent the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Process of removal

The Conservative manifesto states: “We will run a relentless, continual process of permanently removing illegal migrants to Rwanda with a regular rhythm of flights every month, starting this July, until the boats are stopped.

“If we are forced to choose between our security and the jurisdiction of a foreign court, including the ECtHR, we will always choose our security.”

The Rwanda plan has been dogged by controversy and legal challenges.

The High Court in Belfast has found that legislation providing for the deportation of asylum seekers cannot be enforced in  Northern Ireland since its provision are a diminution of rights and are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.