Minister Defends Sunak Language on Migrants After Rome Speech

Rishi Sunak was ‘absolutely right’ to warn that illegal migration could ‘overwhelm’ European states, the Deputy Prime Minister has said.

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden arrives at BBC Broadcasting House in London, on Dec. 17, 2023. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was “absolutely right” to warn that illegal migration could “overwhelm” European states, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has said.

Mr. Sunak used a gathering of Italian conservatives and right-wingers in Rome to issue a stark warning of the threat posed by illegal migration as he suggested that changes to global refugee rules might be needed.