Britain Tory backbencher says he'd like to "build a wall" in recording
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Speaking to young Tory activists in March, Jacob Rees-Mogg complimented Trump's attitude to immigration as president and stated that the UK should be inspired by it.
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Jacob Rees-Mogg in an election video urging voters to vote Conservatives for better "defense of the realm."( X screengrab)
In a leaked video released by The Guardian on Tuesday, the renowned Tory former commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg stated that he wanted to "build a wall in the English Channel."
Speaking to young Tory activists in March, Rees-Mogg complimented Trump's attitude to immigration as president of the United States, suggesting the United Kingdom should be inspired by it.
“If I were American I’d want the border closed, I’d be all in favor of building a wall. I’d want to build a wall in the middle of the English Channel," he stated.
Rees-Mogg also supported Trump's candidacy for the White House, citing concerns over Biden's mental "acuity" and alleging he "doesn't like Britain."
Trump popularized the "Build The Wall" phrase during his first presidential campaign in 2015-16, in an attempt to prevent migrants from crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. According to BBC, during his time in office, he built 452 miles of border wall, however only 80 miles of new barriers were installed where there were none previously.
In August last year, the Department of Defense (DoD) and a local official at the southern border confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) that the Biden administration was "disposing" of parts of the Trump border wall in an auction for months.
British Conservatives have made immigration a key issue with Labour opposing Tory plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Conservatives have suggested that Labor would make the UK a magnet for migrants.
Labour said it would use the money granted to the Rwanda program to establish a Border Security Command to pursue criminals operating small boat routes and strengthen EU security cooperation.
Rees-Mogg is running for reelection in the new district of North East Somerset and Hanham, where he will face a tough struggle from Labour's Dan Norris, who is presently mayor of the West of England.
The Tory candidate, a favorite among the Conservative grassroots, has served in the Commons since 2010 and is termed the "honorable member for the 18th century."
Ireland to seek amendment of Rwanda bill with UK for migrants
Ireland is seeking to amend the law to allow the return of asylum seekers to the UK, broadcaster RTE reported in April after an influx over the border with Northern Ireland.
Irish Minister of Justice Helen McEntee told a parliamentary committee this week that she estimates 80% of those applying for asylum arrived through the land border with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sky News claimed this was evidence that London's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is serving as a deterrent, adding, "What it shows, I think, is that the deterrent is... already having an impact because people are worried about coming here."
In response, a spokesperson for Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said the leader "does not comment on the migration policies of any other country but he is very clear about the importance of protecting the integrity of the migration system in Ireland," RTE reported.
"Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly."
The spokesperson further noted that Harris asked his Justice Minister "to bring proposals to Cabinet next week to amend existing law regarding the designation of safe 'third countries' and allowing the return of inadmissible International Protection applicants to the UK."
The United Kingdom and Rwanda signed a migration agreement in 2022, under which people identified by the UK government as undocumented migrants or asylum seekers would be deported to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement.
The plan has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and some politicians who believe the measure will not help stem the flow of migrants.
