Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has rejected the suggestion made by Lee Anderson, Tory Party deputy chairman, to send asylum seekers to the Orkney Islands as an alternative to the Rwanda plan. Anderson had proposed using a "nice Scottish island" to process migrants. Hunt referred to Anderson's remarks as "colourful language" and stated that the government will do whatever it takes to stop the boats. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt also dismissed the idea, stating that it is not an alternative to Rwanda and highlighting the reliability issues of SNP ferry services. The Supreme Court recently ruled the current plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as unlawful.

Anderson's proposal and the response

During his show, Anderson expressed that if people are genuinely escaping war or persecution, a nice Scottish island with suitable accommodation would be appropriate. He mentioned that parts of Scotland, especially the remote islands, are popular destinations and suggested finding an uninhabited island in the Orkneys to house asylum seekers. However, Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael criticized Anderson's remarks, stating that they showed disdain towards his constituents.