Rishi Sunak is meeting with Conservative MPs as he publishes his emergency legislation to get Rwanda flights off the ground.
Rishi Sunak has published his emergency legislation to get Rwanda flights off the ground ahead of a showdown meeting with MPs today.
On a day of high drama, the Prime Minister is hoping that the legislation will appease MPs on the right of his party who have been threatening to send in letters demanding a vote of confidence in his leadership.
However, senior Tories on the right have told Express.co.uk that they fear “the Bill will be a fudge”.
Added to that sources in the centre right New Conservatives group said that immigration minister Robert Jenrick is “teetering” and may resign.
With Home Secretary James Cleverly set to table a statement to the House shortly, MPs on the right are preparing to hold their own meeting to consider the details of the legislation.
The European Research Group, Common Sense Group and New Conservatives have asked a star chamber of lawyers chaired by veteran Brexiteer MP Sir Bill Cash to see if the Bill will meet their demands.
The three groups have asked for the star chamber to decide “whether the Bill fully respects Parliamentary sovereignty, with unambiguous wording which would facilitate flights to Rwanda.”
Top of their list is demands that the provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), Refugee Convention and other treaties are negated in the Bill.
However, One Nation Tories on the left of the party have threatened to rebel if these demands are met and up to 10 minister could resign.
In his statement, Cleverly said: “I am unable to make a statement that, in my view, the provisions of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill are compatible with the Convention rights, but the Government nevertheless wishes the House to proceed with the Bill.”
In a Tweet, he added: “When we said we would stop the boats, we meant it. This Bill makes sure that parliament decides who comes to this country – not the criminal gangs or foreign courts. Action, not empty rhetoric, will stop the boats.”
The Home Office said the new Rwanda legislation deems Rwanda a safe country notwithstanding UK and international law.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I have been unequivocal that we can no longer tolerate the endless scourge of illegal migration on our country.
“It is costing us billions of pounds and costing innocent lives, and that is why we are taking action to put a stop to it and make clear once and for all that it is Parliament that should decide who comes to this country, not criminal gangs.
“Through this new landmark emergency legislation, we will control our borders, deter people taking perilous journeys across the channel and end the continuous legal challenges filling our courts.
“And we will disapply sections of the Human Rights Act from the key parts of the Bill, specifically in the case of Rwanda, to ensure our plan cannot be stopped.”
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