Interior minister jokes about interior designers inspecting potential migrant shelters in Rwanda

The home secretary was given a tour of potential migrant shelters on her first publicly-funded trip to Rwanda, as it was confirmed that 209 people had made the journey across the English Channel on Friday.

Suella Braverman joked about interior designers during her visit on Saturday as she went to reaffirm her commitment to Rwanda’s deportation policy.

So far, no migrants have been resettled in the country as the deal, signed by Ms Braverman’s predecessor Priti Patel last April, remains embroiled in litigation.

During their visit, the government reported that 209 people had crossed the canal in small boats on Friday after five days of no crossings being reported.

On Saturday morning, Ms Braverman was given a tour of apartments that could provide long-term homes for migrants after the land was bought by the Rwandan government.

Peering into one of the properties she said: “These homes are really beautiful, great quality, very welcoming and I really like your interior design. I need some advice for myself,” added Ms. Braverman.

Migrants arriving from the UK would be accommodated in hostels and hotels at short notice.

One refugee living in Rwanda told reporters he “never felt like he was considered a foreigner,” but said he didn’t see the African nation having the capacity to host “many thousands” of migrants.

Fesseha Teame, 48, who has a wife and four children, spoke after Ms Braverman claimed: “Rwanda has the capacity to relocate many thousands of people and can provide shelter quickly once flights begin.”

The home secretary also said the suggestion that Rwanda could only take 200 people was a “completely false narrative being peddled by critics who want to abandon the deal”.

Ahead of her trip, the Home Secretary said the plan would “act as a strong deterrent to dangerous and illegal travel”.

She is scheduled to meet with President Paul Kagame and her counterpart Vincent Biruta to discuss the deal. She will also meet with investment start-up professionals and entrepreneurs to discuss the range of business and employment opportunities available in Rwanda.

The government’s plan to forcibly return migrants to the African nation is currently being backed up by the courts, as asylum seekers were told on Tuesday they could appeal Home Office decisions to relocate them.

A group of people from countries including Iran, Iraq and Syria are aiming to overturn December decisions by two High Court judges who dismissed a series of legal bids against the government’s plan.