Huge bust up over Rwanda between Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth and the Tories’ Jonathan Gullis https://t.co/LQkHMDWepi pic.twitter.com/Pd6dH8YubY

       — Express Politics (@ExpressPolitics) May 3, 2024

       The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg was force to intervene and break up a furious row between the Tory and Labour spokesmen tonight, as the pair refused to pull their punches over Rwanda.

       The row began when Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis condemned Labour’s London mayoral campaign insults as “disgusting and abhorrent”, referring to Wes Streeting’s tweet comparing the Conservative candidate Susan Hall to white supremacists.

       Mr Gullis said the slur was “disgusting and abhorrent, especially when the Labour Party were the ones found to have breached the equality act three times under Jeremy Corbyn with the Antisemitism that went rampant in their party”.

       Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth called the criticism “nonsense”, and mocking Mr Ashworth’s delight this week that Britain had deported its first migrant to Rwanda.

       Mr Ashworth pointed to over 700 migrants crossing the Channel this Thursday, but Mr Gullis shot back: “Well what’s your deterrent?”

       This widget requires javascript to work.

       Interactive

       READ MORE: Local elections LIVE: Rishi Sunak braced for major Tory losses as rebels circle

       The pair furiously attacked each other (Image: BBC)

       “Your idea is ‘we’re going to tell people if they come to this country they can claim asylum’, you’re then going to process them quicker, if you process them quicker where are you going to put them?

       “Are you going to do a returns deal with Iran? Are you going to do a returns deal with Syria?”

       At this point Jonathan Ashworth began telling Mr Gullis to “calm down”, with Mr Gullis shooting back: “Please don’t patronise me, Jonathan!”

       “The reality is you’re not going to do a returns deal with Iran, with Syria, ultimate you’re going to accept them to stay in this country! Which means you are aiding and abetting the smuggling gangs!”

       Mr Ashworth claimed more migrants crossed the Channel this week than Britain is able to sent to Rwanda in total, however Mr Gullis pointed out there is no cap on the scheme.

       Don't miss...

       Richard Tice hails ‘outstanding’ Reform results as party hammers Tories [LATEST]

       ‘Scotland will not stand for it!’ Question Time panelist destroys Humza Yousaf [LATEST]

       Rattled Sadiq Khan admits the Tories chance of winning has 'skyrocketed' [LATEST]

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Ms Kuenssberg had to intervene and pull them off each other (Image: BBC)

       Trending

       “The Rwanda Government has said there is no cap on the scheme, and you and I both know that’s the reality.

       “Yes there is an initial figure to test the system but there is no cap on the scheme. And when we get that deal off the ground you watch how many mainstream European countries are going to copy that deal, how many other deals we’ll do.

       “You have no plan! It’s a Labour migration amnesty.”

       Ms Kuenssberg had to intervene to cut off the pair’s scrap, demanding: “Jonathan and Jonathan, Jonathan and Jonathan! Political debate is good to be passionate but we also want to be able to hear what you’re both saying”.

       Related articles Lee Anderson hails new poll as Reform UK closes in on Tories Ex-Nicola Sturgeon deputy John Swinney announces SNP leadership bid Nigel Farage beats top Tories in stunning new poll on best party leader Penny Mordaunt has Commons in stiches with brutal comeback to SNP MP Local elections LIVE: Rishi Sunak braced for major Tory losses as rebels circle