Government complicit in attacks

The FBU fire brigades’ union coordinated a joint statement by 16 unions condemning “an alarming rise in violence and intimidation organised by the far right against refugees and refugee accommodation”.

The unions say the government is complicit in these attacks, with politicians “playing the mood music”.

“The Rwanda policy does not make sense as a means of stopping small boat crossings — and is failing on its own terms — but it fits with a long-running campaign of rhetoric and demonisation,” they added.