Priti Patel says she expects other countries to follow the UK's lead in adopting the "Rwanda model" for tackling asylum claims, despite a reported Whitehall mutiny over the plan.

The Home Secretary named Denmark as among those set to reproduce the UK Government’s “blueprint” after it signed a deal to transfer those asylum seekers deemed to have arrived in Britain unlawfully 6,000 miles away to east Africa.

Yesterday the Royal Navy moved in to take control of the cross-Channel asylum crisis at Dover.

It comes after the Prime Minister declared an initial £120 million trial scheme, dubbed the "Rwanda Deal", to send some of those who make the treacherous journey via small boats to the shores of Kent to the east African country for processing.

Home Secretary Priti Patel struck the deal during a visit to the capital of Kigali.

She argued the plan was likely to be emulated by others, including countries in Europe, the PA news agency reported.

“There is no question now that the model we have put forward, I’m convinced is world class and a world first, and it will be used as a blueprint going forward, there’s no doubt about that,” Ms Patel said.

“I would not be surprised if other countries start coming to us direct on the back of this as well.”

The Home Secretary said Copenhagen was in talks with Rwanda as well, adding the Council of Europe “have also basically said they are interested in working with us”.

But the Cabinet minister’s remarks come despite reports of a Whitehall mutiny over the plan in The Daily Telegraph.

Multiple reports have surfaced that Ms Patel took the rare step of issuing a ministerial direction to overrule concerns of civil servants about whether the concept will deliver value for money, PA news agency reports.

The Home Office declined to comment on the matter when approached.

As part of the plan designed to curb migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, those who are deemed to have entered Britain by unlawful means since January 1 may be sent to Rwanda where they will be permitted to apply for asylum in the African country.

But the deal has also faced international criticism, with the UN Refugee Agency saying it “strongly condemns” the approach laid out by the Prime Minister and Ms Patel.

Gillian Triggs, an assistant secretary-general at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called it an “egregious breach of international law and refugee law” and labelled it “unacceptable”.

Speaking to the BBC, the Australian also questioned whether it would act as a long-term deterrent, given Israel’s attempt to do something similar in Rwanda with Eritrean and Sudanese incomers saw the refugees “leave the country and start the process all over again”.

Earlier this week Boris Johnson admitted he expects his plans to be challenged in the courts during an appearance at Lydd Airport.

But the Home Office has denied its approach is in breach of refugee agreements.

“This world-leading Migration Partnership will overhaul the UK’s broken asylum system," a Home Office Spokesperson

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Rwanda is a fundamentally safe and secure country with a track record of supporting asylum seekers, including working with the UN Refugee Agency which said the country has a safe and protective environment for refugees.

“This world-leading Migration Partnership will overhaul the UK’s broken asylum system.

"It means those arriving dangerously, illegally or unnecessarily into the UK can be relocated to have their claims for asylum considered and, if recognised as refugees, to build their lives there.

“Under this agreement, Rwanda will process claims in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention, national and international human rights laws, and will ensure their protection from inhuman and degrading treatment or being returned to the place they originally fled.

"There is nothing in the UN Refugee Convention which prevents removal to a safe country.”

​​​​​​​More than 5,000 people have reportedly made the dangerous journey across the English Channel aboard small boats this year - three times as many as this time a year prior.

There were reports of 35 asylum seekers arriving in Dover at around 7.30am yesterday.

The Navy's Valiant ship was pictured in waters with men, women and children arriving in the county and being assisted by officers.