Flights to Rwanda could be approved by both houses in just hours after MPs voted to overturn four amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill made by peers. The legislation will therefore return to the House of Lords this afternoon.
While it was initially thought peers would capitulate to the Government and pass the law when it returns, sources in the Lords told GB News peers trying to weaken the Government’s Rwanda plan are preparing to push some of the amendments to a fourth vote tonight.
Peers have been told to be prepared to stay “to the early hours”, Lords sources told GB News. If the Lords vote to reinstate amendments, the legislation could then be returned to the Commons this evening, before returning to the Lords for a fourth vote.
This comes after three rounds of parliamentary ping-pong between the two houses.
If peers approve the legislation this evening, it is expected to receive royal assent tomorrow.
Flights to Rwanda are set to be approved by both houses in just hours, as MPs have voted to overturn four amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill made by peers
PA
Debating the legislation this afternoon, Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson said the amendments were designed to “prevent the very things the Bill is designed to do”.
He said the amendments were in two categories, telling the Commons: “Those that are simply unnecessary and those that are worse than unnecessary, they’re wrecking amendments; they’re deliberately put in in order to prevent the very things that the Bill is designed to do, namely to stop the boats and to get the planes off the ground.”
Speaking about one amendment which restores the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enables them to intervene, Tomlinson said: “This is one that I do categorise as a wrecking amendment. It would simply encourage illegal migrants to continue to frustrate the system through lengthy legal challenges in order to prevent their removal and it runs contrary to the core purpose of this Bill.
Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson said the amendments were designed to “prevent the very things the Bill is designed to do”
PA
“This Bill strikes the appropriate balance of limiting unnecessary challenges that frustrate removal whilst maintaining the principle of access to the courts.”
Peers also backed a requirement that Rwanda cannot be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified that protections contained in the treaty are fully implemented and remain in place.
Conservative MP Sir Bob Neill, who chairs the Justice Committee, said Lords amendment 3E had been proposed in “very moderate and non-partisan terms”.
Kevin Saunders, former Chief Immigration Office at Border Force, told GB News the first migrants’ flights would take off for Rwanda in June if the bill becomes law tomorrow.
This would meet Sunak’s target of getting flights off the ground by spring.
MPs voted 306 to 240, majority 66 to reject Lords amendment 3E, which would require that Rwanda cannot be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified that protections contained in the treaty are fully implemented and remain in place.
They voted 306 to 240, majority 66, to reject Lords amendment 1D, which sought to ensure the Safety of Rwanda Bill has “due regard” for international and key domestic laws, including human rights and modern slavery legislation.
An amendment to restore the jurisdiction of domestic courts in relation to the safety of Rwanda and enable them to intervene was overturned by 310 to 240.
MPs voted 302 to 244, majority 58 to reject Lords amendment 10D.
The amendment would exempt agents, allies and employees of the UK overseas, such as Afghans who fought alongside the British armed forces, from being removed to Rwanda.
