Prince Charles has privately criticized the government’s policy of deporting migrants to Rwanda, calling the practice “creepy”.
The heir to the throne has been heard opposing politics behind closed doors, a source told the Times and the Daily Mail.
The claim comes on the same day that the high court rejected a legal challenge against the deportation of asylum seekers. The first flight to send migrants to the Central African country could leave this Tuesday. An appeal has been filed against the sentence.
The government’s deportation policy was introduced in April as a way to deter people trying to cross the canal with small boats from northern France. So far this year, more than 10,000 people have arrived.
Under the agreement, anyone who arrives outside of legal proceedings will be moved 4,000 miles away. The policy has been criticized for human rights reasons, and on Friday the UN Refugee Agency supported calls for a halt to Tuesday’s flight because it breached UK legal obligations.
The source said: “[Charles] he said he was more than disappointed with politics.
“He said he thinks the whole government approach is appalling. It was clear he wasn’t impressed with the direction of the government’s journey.”
Commonwealth heads of government will meet in the country’s capital, Kigali, in late June. Charles will represent the queen at the meeting.
A spokesman for Clarence House said: “We would not comment on alleged anonymous private talks with the Prince of Wales, except to reiterate that he remains politically neutral. Political issues are government decisions.”
However, they did not deny in the Times that Charles was opposed to politics.
A government spokesman said: “Our leading global partnership with Rwanda will move those who make dangerous, unnecessary and illegal trips to the UK to move there to take their claims into account and rebuild their lives.
“We are confident that the agreement will fully comply with all national and international laws.”