JAMES CLEVERLY came under fire from campaigners today after reports surfaced that he had squandered £165,561 of taxpayers’ money on a private jet to Rwanda.

The Home Secretary took the one-day trip to sign a new deal with the east African state after the Supreme Court ruled that Rwanda was an “unsafe country.”

He took the trip to Kigali back in December 2023 with 14 officials and a TV crew in a private jet, according to a Home Office disclosure.

It comes weeks after it was revealed that the government was planning on spending £1.8 million on each of the first 300 asylum-seekers it deports to Rwanda.

Stand Up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: “James Cleverly’s shameful private jet to Rwanda, plus the £370m to Rwanda, £480m to France to supposedly to stop the boats and £46m extra to house asylum-seekers in poisonous floating prisons adds up to almost £1 billion.

“That’s money the government would rather invest in racism and abusing human rights than the NHS, education and improving living standards.”

Migrants Rights Network CEO Fizza Qureshi said: “This government is doing all it can to force through this scheme despite it being found unlawful, instead of offering the protection and safeguards it should be to people seeking sanctuary.

“That money could have been spent supporting those who have been given refugee status with housing assistance, or meet other basic needs.”

A Home Office spokesperson said the department makes “no apologies for pursuing bold solutions like our partnership with Rwanda to stop the boats and save lives.

“All government spend goes through thorough due diligence to ensure best value for money.”