LONDON –
A British newspaper says Prince Charles has criticized the government’s plan to start deporting some asylum seekers to Rwanda, calling it “creepy”.
Citing unnamed sources, The Times reported on Friday afternoon that the heir to the British throne is privately opposed to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s policy of sending people to Africa. oriental.
A court ruling has paved the way for the first flight under the controversial deal that will come out on Tuesday with more than 30 people. The UK plans to send some migrants arriving in the UK as stowaways or in small boats to Rwanda, where their asylum applications will be processed. If they succeed, they will stay in the African country. Human rights groups have called the idea unviable and inhumane.
The prince’s office neither confirmed nor denied the report.
“We would not comment on alleged anonymous private conversations with the Prince of Wales, except to state that he remains politically neutral,” Clarence House said in a statement. “Political issues are government decisions.”
The new policy threatens to overshadow the upcoming visit of Charles and his wife Camilla to Rwanda later this month to attend a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
The Times said a source had heard Charles speak privately in politics several times and that he had heard “more than disappointed”.
Traditionally, British royals are not involved in political matters.
As head of state, Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, must remain strictly neutral on political issues and not vote or stand for election, according to the royal family’s official website.
However, the 73-year-old prince, who is the first in line to the throne, has been an open advocate for various causes, such as the campaign against climate change and plastic pollution in the oceans. He has also been accused of interfering in politics by talking about the real estate promotions he opposed and other issues.