Former Chief Immigration Officer Kevin Saunders has hit out at those opposed to the Rwanda scheme after five migrants, including a child, died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain in an overcrowded small boat on Tuesday.

Speaking on GB News he said: " We can't have these awful things happening with people dying in the channel.

"It's absolutely outrageous that this should happen. And a small child dying is even worse."

The news comes hours after Britain passed a bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda in a move to deter the dangerous journeys.

Tens of thousands have made the journey since 2018, and Britain has responded by spending two years trying to overcome opposition to a divisive policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda which it hopes will deter people from making the crossings.