by Rishi Sunak’s prime ministership has been rocked by the resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick after the prime minister failed to appease right-wing Conservatives with his emergency legislation for Rwanda.
Home Secretary James Cleverly has introduced a bill in the House of Commons to “de-apply” the UK Human Rights Act in a bid to stop British judges from blocking the deportation of asylum seekers.
But the embattled Conservative leader has been unable to prevent a revolt from the party’s right-wing MPs, who are furious that the prime minister decided not to opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
In his scathing resignation letter, Jenrick told Sunak he did not believe the new bill “gives us the best chance of success” in getting flights to Rwanda off the ground.
The hardliner made it clear that he wanted to bypass the ECHR, revealing that he had been “pushing for the strongest possible bill” that would place “national interests above highly controversial interpretations of international law.”
The Labor Party said the latest “chaotic chapter” of Tory infighting showed why it was time for a change of power. The Liberal Democrats said Sunak had lost control of the government, while another minister was “fleeing this sinking ship”.
Sunak now faces the almost impossible task of winning votes from both the conservative right, which wanted a “total” crackdown on the ECHR, and moderate One Nation MPs who warn that they cannot support legislation that flouts human rights laws. .
Adding to the Prime Minister’s woes, ousted Home Secretary Suella Braverman launched a scathing attack on Sunak, warning that he faces “electoral oblivion” if he fails to get flights to Rwanda off the ground before the next election.
The new Sunak Bill includes provisions to disapply relevant parts of the Human Rights Act so that they cannot be included in court decisions on deportation cases, but does not attempt to disapply the ECHR.
However, the legislation will ensure that UK ministers “retain the decision on whether or not to comply” with interim orders from the European Court of Human Rights, the Strasbourg body that oversees the ECtHR.
In yet another headache for Sunak, the Rwandan government immediately responded to the move by warning that it could withdraw from the deal, if the UK does not meet “the highest standards of international law”.
The African country’s Foreign Minister, Vincent Biruta, warned: “Without lawful behavior from the United Kingdom, Rwanda would not be able to continue with the Partnership for Migration and Economic Development.”
Sunak defended his plans at a crucial meeting of the 1922 Conservative Backbenchers’ Committee on Wednesday night, but failed to keep right-wingers on his side.
A source close to Ms. Braverman made it clear that the bill does not come close to meeting her evidence. “You have a fatal error,” said the ally. “It’s one more betrayal of conservative voters.”
Some right-wing Conservatives submitted letters of no confidence against Sunak on Wednesday, according to ITV. Former right-wing minister Andrea Jenkyns, a staunch Boris Johnson loyalist, said Jenrick’s resignation “may be the death knell for Sunak’s leadership”.
Dozens of right-wing hardliners, including members of the 35 New Conservatives, the Common Sense Group and the European Research Group, met again on Wednesday night to decide whether they can vote in favor of the new bill.
The independent understands that many of them are not happy with the “intermediate” option of ceasing to apply the Human Rights Law. A senior MP said the bill would “serve no purpose” if it fails to thwart ECHR challenges.
The prime minister had been warned that he would face an even more damaging rebellion – with the possible resignation of up to 10 moderate ministers – if he used emergency legislation to circumvent the ECHR.
Conservative moderate Damian Green, chairman of the One Nation group, which has the support of around 100 MPs, warned Sunak that he “should think twice before overturning both the ECHR and the HRA”.
A One Nation spokesperson said it welcomes the government’s decision to comply with “international commitments” but is now seeking legal advice on whether it can support the bill.
The cover of the legislation admits that the government cannot say whether the bill is compatible with the ECHR, an admission that may worry moderates when it comes to voting for it in parliament in the crucial days ahead.
The new foreign secretary, David Cameron, said he was “regretted” that Jenrick had resigned. But he defended Rwanda’s “comprehensive” bill, saying it would “put this policy beyond doubt” and allow flights to begin.
In his exit letter, Jenrick told the Conservative leader that he refused to be “just another politician who makes promises about immigration to the British public but fails to deliver on them”.
Home Office minister Laura Farris had first confirmed that Jenrick had resigned after he failed to appear in the Commons to support the bill. Cleverly later told MPs asking about the resignation: “That has been confirmed.”
Another surprise was that Mrs Braverman gave a formal resignation speech in the House of Commons. She suggested that her own previous ‘stop the boats’ legislation should have been scrapped in favor of a “stronger alternative that excluded international and human rights law”.
The Conservative Conservative also attacked the “expansive human rights laws emanating” from the ECHR that were stopping flights to Rwanda. Braverman also said that it is “no secret” that he supports leaving the ECtHR entirely.
His unusual personal statement to the House of Commons followed his acrimonious exit last month. A similar speech by Geoffrey Howe followed his resignation from the House of Commons in 1990, which is often credited with ending Margaret Thatcher’s political career.
It came despite the government stating that the new bill would “unequivocally exclude the courts from challenging the fact that Rwanda is safe”. Sunak insisted his new legislation would ensure his plan for Rwanda “cannot be stopped”.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Cleverly said the bill was “legal, fair and necessary”. The Home Secretary told MPs the government was determined to quickly pass its emergency legislation through parliament. He also denied Labor claims that Rwanda was cowering because of the “toxic”.
Last month, the UK’s top court blocked Rwanda’s policy over fears that genuine refugees could be wrongly sent back to their home countries, where they would face persecution.
Nick Vineall KC, president of the Bar Council, said the new bill would still “likely give rise to legal challenges” over the planned deportations, noting that it “preserves the right of the courts to consider whether Rwanda is a safe country.” .
