Sunak snubs ECHR as PM introduces emergency legislation to stop the boats
Rishi Sunak has snubbed the European Court of Human Rights, in new legislation aimed at getting the Rwanda scheme off the ground.
The new Bill, published this evening, says the UK parliament “is sovereign”, noting that “the validity of an Act is unaffected by international law”.
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He 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.”
The law also states that Rwanda is “safe country”.
In a statement posted to social media after the legislation was published, Cleverly said: “When we said we would stop the boats, we meant it.
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James Cleverly signs new Rwanda treaty with Foreign Minister Vincent BirutaREUTERS“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 PM will be hoping the legislation appeases MPs on the right of the party who have been demanding the Government do whatever it takes to stop the boats.
The bill was published ahead of this evening’s meeting of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, which will see Sunak hauled in front of his MPs to discuss migration.
Sunak is battling Cabinet division after the Supreme Court ruling on RwandaPA
Suella Braverman has hit out at Rishi Sunak’s emergency legislation, dubbing it “fatally flawed”PAThey demanded the Government do whatever it takes, including withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, to get the deal off the ground.
The group confirmed that its so-called ‘Star Chamber’ of lawyers will convene to look at the detail of the Bill, and decide whether it is sufficient to get planes to Rwanda off the ground.
Reacting to the Bill, Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “It has the not withstanding clause in it – that’s good.
“Initial reading is encouraging. But we are waiting for the legal advice”
But yesterday, sources told the Telegraph that as many as ten Government ministers would resign if Sunak did decide to withdraw from the agreement.
The ministers, who are primarily from the One Nation caucus of Conservative MPs, are opposed to a hardline approach to the issue.
The One Nation group issued a warning yesterday that “overriding” the ECHR would be a “red line”.
But in her statement to the Commons today, Braverman said: “Crucially, when it comes to stopping the boats now, leaving the ECHR is not the only way to cut the Gordian Knot.”
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