Rishi Sunak set to toughen Channel migrants bill to avoid right-wing Tory rebellion, insiders say
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Rishi Sunak is poised to toughen up his controversial laws to crack down on Channel small boat crossings in a bid to see off a Conservative rebellion next week.
Sources told i that Tory rebels are pushing for the Prime Minister to table a Government amendment to his Illegal Migration Bill to harden up powers which would allow the government to ignore interim rulings under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) which prevent flights taking off.
One of the so-called “rule 39” injunctions blocked the Government’s first attempt to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda last year and the legislation already contains measures to allow the Home Secretary to make future laws to ignore the rulings.
The Home Office was due to publish amendments on Wednesday but this has been delayed as talks between rebels and the Government continue.
Right-wing Tory rebels, who have feared the Bill does not go far enough, are said to be ready to back down if the Home Office can demonstrate an even tougher approach to Strasbourg rulings, while remaining in the ECHR.
A Government source told i on Wednesday that the negotiations, which have involved Mr Sunak, his deputy chief of staff Will Tanner, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick and Home Secretary Suella Braverman, are focused on ensuring the legislation is “as robust as possible”.
One senior MP on Wednesday said Attorney General Victoria Prentis was willing to countenance a tougher approach on rule 39 orders despite reportedly having raised concerns about aspects of the Bill breaching international law.
Ms Prentis was said to be “robust” on rule 39 orders and “can see a way through” the possibility of legal challenges derailing Mr Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats” and the Rwanda deportation plan via this route.
A source close to the rebels meanwhile said the MPs feel Mr Tanner has “tried to work with them to toughen it up”, but that they realised that the legislation “needs to be acceptable to the One Nation group to work”.
A Government amendment “that toughens it up” would be a “massive step” towards seeing off any rebellion, the source said, as MPs “don’t want to derail the Government, particularly so close to local elections”.
The Home Office said it would not comment on the talks with rebels.
Downing Street was also contacted for comment.
A spokesman for the Attorney General said it is reflected in the ministerial code that law officers provide legal advice but that the content of that advice is not shared outside Government without specific consent, to allow full and frank legal advice to be given for the business of governing.