THE UK Government has been publicly rebuffed by the Ghanaian government over “Operation Red Meat”.
Plans to send asylum seekers to other countries while their claims are processed, as included in the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill, were slammed by Ghana’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs today.
Reports leaked to the media suggested the Government would seek to “offshore” asylum seekers to Ghana and Rwanda.
Press Release. #GhanaMFA pic.twitter.com/kS6QNCGnVX
— Ghana MFA (@GhanaMFA) January 18, 2022
The official Twitter account for Ghana's foreign ministry sent out the blunt rebuke this afternoon, in which it claimed the UK Government had not been in touch about the plans.
It also stated the plans would be opposed by the Ghanaian government.
The statement said: “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration that UK newspapers this morning reported details of a document dubbed ‘Operation Dead Meat’ [sic], which contains, among others, a measure supposedly being drawn up by UK authorities to ‘send migrants to countries such as Rwanda and Ghana for processing and resettlement'.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson: 'No one told me BYOB No 10 party was against the rules'
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to state categorically that Ghana has not engaged with the UK on any such plan and does not intend to consider any such operation in the future.”
Under the proposals, a rear admiral would direct the Border Force, coastguard, fisheries protection and customs and excise to keep track of and “intercept” those crossing the Channel.
The policy is viewed as being part of "Operation Red Meat" - a raft of big policies thought to be designed to distract attention from the Prime Minister's partygate scandal and potential impending resignation.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel