EU accused of hypocrisy after bloc copies Britain's Rwanda scheme despite labelling it 'extreme'

The European Union has been accused of hypocrisy after member states began pursuing plans for deportation centres outside the bloc, despite previously condemning Britain’s Rwanda scheme as "extreme".

The latest developments have been highlighted by the Facts4EU think-tank , working with Stand for Our Sovereignty and The Campaign for an Independent Britain, which argue that the EU is undergoing a major shift in its approach to migration.

The research claims European governments are increasingly considering policies resembling the approach adopted by the UK’s former Conservative government, which sought to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing.

Britain’s policy was fiercely criticised by European officials and campaigners, who raised concerns over its legality and treatment of asylum seekers.

Now, several European capitals are exploring the use of third countries to process or receive migrants whose asylum claims have failed.