Suella Braverman's 'vanity photo-op' trip to Rwanda cost taxpayers over £40,000

22 July 2023 , 20:55

835     0

Home Secretary Suella Braverman in Kigali, Rwanda (Image: PA)

Suella Braverman’s trip to Rwanda cost taxpayers more than £40,000.

The Home Secretary went to Kigali, capital of the East African country, in March for what critics described as a “vanity photo-op” to promote her plan to deport refugees there.

She took eight civil servants, two Home Office special advisers, and a No 10 special adviser. The cost was revealed in a Freedom of Information request.

The Home Office says flights cost £35,041, hotels £4,301, transport £248 and “engagement” £2,056.

Ms Braverman was criticised for not inviting “critical” media outlets, including the Mirror and the BBC.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Her plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda were last month ruled “unlawful”.

Patrick Hill