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

22 July 2023 , 20:55

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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.

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

Patrick Hill