Bishop Robert has added his voice to the condemnation of the UK government's plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to be processed. The controversial scheme was announced by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, just before Easter.
 
Speaking on BBC Sussex and Surrey he said, "The idea that we would send traumatized refugees, some of whom are minors, 4,000 miles away to be 'processed' fills me with revulsion and horror."
 
The government has insisted the plan would thwart people smugglers who prey on those seeking asylum and stop people risking their lives by taking dangerous routes to get to the UK.
 
Bishop Robert’s comments echo the unease felt by charities, campaigners, politicians and senior figures in the Church. Archbishop Justin Welby said in his Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, "sub-contracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of God who himself took responsibility for our failures."
 
Bishop Robert is urging everyone who opposes the plans to sign an online petition, organised by the petitioning platform, Change.org. You can find the petition here