Last week Mr Johnson dismissed criticism of the policy from ‘slightly unexpected quarters’ in an apparent dig at the prince and Church of England bishops, who attacked it as ‘immoral’. It was revealed earlier this month that Charles had been overheard describing the Rwanda scheme as ‘appalling’. So yeah, of course, if I am seeing the prince tomorrow, I am going to be making that point.’ A lot of people can see its obvious merits. Mr Johnson told ITV: ‘People need to keep an open mind about the (Rwanda) policy, the critics need to keep an open mind about the policy. He said: ‘I am delighted that Prince Charles and everybody is here today to see a country that has undergone a complete, or a very substantial transformation.’ Mr Johnson suggested yesterday he would make a point about the migration policy’s ‘obvious merits’ when he met Charles over a cup of tea this morning. The prince and Mr Johnson are in Rwanda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Clarence House is understood to be unhappy that public debate over Charles’s remarks about Britain’s policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda is overshadowing his well-received trip to the East African nation.

Paul masse wakefield