Broadcaster and journalist Danny Kelly has criticised Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for what he calls an “arrogant” dismissal of the Rwanda migration scheme.
Speaking to GB News, Kelly argued that Starmer should have allowed “some test flights” to Rwanda to go ahead, to determine if the plan could effectively deter illegal Channel crossings.
“I really wish Keir Starmer had at least let a few planes take off to Rwanda, just to see if it was a deterrent, because that’s the great unknown,” Kelly said.
“I think he was arrogant when he said it wouldn’t work,” he added.
Danny Kelly hit out at Keir Starmer’s ‘arrogant’ migration decision
GB News / PA
Kelly emphasised the importance of testing the Rwanda scheme’s effectiveness as a deterrent to dangerous Channel crossings.
“We can all, as a panel, agree that we would want them to be stopping this perilous journey,” Kelly told GB News.
Kelly highlighted the significant role of organised crime in Channel crossings.
“It’s all run by the Mafia,” he told GB News, explaining why migrants don’t attempt independent crossings.
He noted that criminal organisations control the beaches in France. “You cannot get yourself a dinghy, you won’t be able to buy yourself a dinghy and get over to Dover because you’ve got the mob,” Kelly explained.
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Expressing his concern for Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s plans to “secure UK borders”, Kelly cautioned against politicians setting specific deadlines for reducing illegal migration.
“I think Yvette Cooper would be foolish to set a deadline on reducing illegal migration,” Kelly said.
“I think politicians are reluctant to set deadlines for obvious reasons, because once you set a deadline, if you don’t hit the damn thing, then it’s going to come back and haunt you,” he added.
Kelly also pointed to Starmer’s unfulfilled promise to “smash the gangs” regarding criminal networks.
Danny Kelly told GB News that the decision by Starmer was ‘arrogant’
GB News
Kelly explained: “Keir Starmer promised he was going to smash the gangs.
“And I was hoping within the first six to eight weeks, we were going to see almost dawn raids of plod all around Europe and Britain, literally smashing in doors and dragging out these gang masters.
“That’s what I was hoping for, and I would love to know the actual balance of people who are trying it on as economic migrants and people who are genuinely seeking a better life.”
