THE Rwanda deal is “unconscionable under medical grounds” and must be scrapped, a group of leading medical bodies has said in a letter to PM Liz Truss.  

Groups including doctors’ union BMA, the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, have expressed horror at Tory plans to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda, warning of the wellbeing and health impact of the plans.

“We urge you abandon this policy of forced expulsions to Rwanda, or any other country,” the letter, published on Tuesday, reads.

“It is cruel and unconscionable on ethical and medical grounds and has already caused severe damage to individual’s health and wellbeing.”

The groups highlight recent research carried out by clinicians at charity Medical Justice, showing evidence that the deal is having a severe impact on the mental health of asylum-seekers targeted, many of whom they say are victims of torture and trafficking. 

Dr Rachel Bingham, a clinician at Medical Justice, which also signed the letter, said: “Our casework shows extremely high rates of evidence of torture, trafficking and other vulnerabilities in this group. 

“The policy knowingly places people in an extremely damaging situation and should be considered exceptionally harmful.”

Freedom from Torture national director of clinical services Tamara Jaftha said that the Rwanda deal is causing “existential fear” among the torture survivors the charity treats. 

Ministers claim the deal will deter asylum-seekers from making the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats. 

It comes after the government was forced to U-turn on plans to fast-track deportations of Albanians arriving to Britain by small boats following the threat of legal action.

Government lawyers have conceded that ministers do not have the right to fast-track deportations of Albanians who claim asylum in Britain.