Rwanda has signalled its openness to signing a new migrant returns scheme with the UK Government should Reform UK win the next general election. The African nation has said it would consider reopening the previous Conservative government’s deportation scheme, which was shut down by Sir Keir Starmer, should Mr Farage enter No 10.

Nigel Farage finally unveiled Reform’s hardline deportations policy on Tuesday. It would result in 600,000 illegal migrants being thrown out of Britain during his first term in office. The previous government had hoped to use Rwanda as a relocation centre to disincentivise illegal Channel crossings, but this was hampered by appeals under the European Convention on Human Rights.

On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Rwandan government said it would consider reintroducing the Tories’ scheme, provided the UK coughs up a supposed outstanding £50million owed under the terms of a deal signed by Priti Patel in 2022.

A total of four migrants were sent to Rwanda by the previous government, in contrast to the current US administration, which has sent up to 250 migrants to the country under Donald Trump’s anti-immigration drive.

Rwanda’s openness to accepting illegal migrants from Britain comes after Taliban sources also confirmed it would be willing to accept returns under a Reform government.

Speaking to The Telegraph, a source in Afghanistan said: “We are ready and willing to receive and embrace whoever he [Nigel Farage] sends us. We are prepared to work with anyone who can help end the struggles of Afghan refugees, as we know many of them do not have a good life abroad.

“We will not take money to accept our own people, but we welcome aid to support newcomers, since there are challenges in accommodating and feeding those returning from Iran and Pakistan.

“Afghanistan is home to all Afghans, and the Islamic Emirate is determined to make this country a place where everyone – those already here, those returning, or those being sent back from the West by Mr Farage or anyone else – can live with dignity.”

Reacting to the Rwandan government announcement, Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf said it was proof his party’s policy will work.

He said on X: “So within 24 hours of us announcing our plan, Afghanistan and Rwanda have said they would do a deal with Nigel Farage to take illegal migrants from the UK.

“The ‘no we can’t’ brigade are seething.”

Britain paid Rwanda £290million between 2022 and 2024, despite the failure to get flights off the ground.

Another £400million was spent on chartering flights, detaining illegal migrants and civil service staffing costs.

Mr Farage’s Operation Restoring Justice would include “large-scale raids” across the country, and the building of mass detainment camps for up to 24,000 illegal migrants at a time.

Mr Farage defended his plans, insisting it is what “normal countries” do.

He said: “Will Border Force be seeking out people who are here illegally, possibly many of them working in the criminal economy? Yes, it’s what normal countries do all over the world.

“What sane country would allow undocumented young males to break into its country, to put them up in hotels, even get dental care? How about that?

“Most people can’t get an NHS dentist. This is not what normal countries do.”