Reform MP tells UK to copy Trump on deporting migrants and withhold £133m from one nation

MP Rupert Lowe has suggested the UK should follow Donald Trump’s example by stopping foreign aid payments to countries that refuse to take back criminals and deportees. He specifically urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to start with Pakistan, which receives £133 million in UK foreign aid.

This follows a recent incident where the US and Colombia clashed over deportation flights. Former President Trump had threatened Colombia with tariffs and sanctions after it initially refused to accept deportees. The standoff ended when Colombia agreed to Trump’s terms, allowing deportation flights and ensuring the migrants would be treated fairly upon return.

Rupert Lowe referenced this in his comments, suggesting the UK could use similar measures to address issues like historic grooming gangs involving individuals of Pakistani origin. He stated that aid to Pakistan should be withheld unless they accept deported rapists and criminals.

The Reform UK MP criticized the UK government for allocating £10 million for local inquiries into grooming gangs instead of launching a national investigation. He argued that the UK must prioritize the deportation of convicted rapists and follow a “realpolitik” strategy similar to Trump’s approach with Colombia.

In the US case, Trump had also imposed visa restrictions and planned to raise tariffs on Colombian goods if the country did not comply. Eventually, Colombia agreed to accept deportees under the terms set by the US.

The UK government has not yet responded to Lowe’s comments, and discussions about the £133 million aid to Pakistan, which supports gender equality and disability inclusion programs, remain ongoing.