James Cleverly, Shadow home secretary James Cleverly (Image: PA)

The Conservative frontbencher claimed Labour did not have the “good grace” to contact the Rwandan government directly to tell them they were ditching the agreement and they “had to read about it in the British press”.

Mr Cleverly told Times Radio: “This is a diplomatic discourtesy of the most extreme kind and would never have happened had this relationship been with a European country. I have no doubt about that.”So this disdainful attitude to the Rwandan people and the Rwandan government is disgusting.“Pressed on if it was racist, Mr Cleverly added:”You and I both know that this would never have happened like this had it been with a European country.

“It’s because there is a below-the-salt disdainful attitude to African countries, and the Rwandan government, in a continent which is synonymous for challenges and problems, the Rwandan government was seeking to be a solution, a partner in what is an incredibly challenging global issue.”And for their efforts, they have been slated by Labour voices."

Mr Cleverly also questioned figures from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper that the deal to send Channel migrants on a one-way ticket to Kigali cost Britain £700 million.

He said: “The figures that she quoted, both the current cost and the projected cost, are totally, totally new to me. And I was running the department until a couple of weeks ago.”Well, look, the fact is that the figures she put, and I’m very, very suspicious when people put nice round numbers because it does rather look as if those numbers are plucked out of the air... a number of the costs that she quoted at the dispatch box have been incurred because she has cancelled the agreement.

“So her cancelling the agreement, incurring costs that can’t be recovered, and then blaming me for her decision, I think is a bit rich.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed his administration was axing the plan after winning the election, as pledged during the campaign.

But the Tories have insisted the scheme, which was beset by legal challenges, is necessary to deter dangerous small boat Channel crossings.

Labour was contacted for comment.