PEER PRESSURE
Fury as House of Lords block Govt’s flagship Rwanda Bill for the THIRD time
It comes amid news of the Home Office striking a new deal with Vietnam to deter illegal immigration
PEERS sparked fury last night after blocking the Rwanda plan yet again.
Critics in the House of Lords sent Rishi Sunak’s flagship Bill back to the Commons for a third time.
1
Government sources claimed opposition parties had reneged on suggestions in private that they would not reject the Bill again.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said: "Terrified that the Rwanda scheme will work, and desperate to delay or disrupt over a hundred votes about stopping the boats, Labour have acted again to block the passage of the Rwanda Bill.
"It’s been another politically cynical effort by them, who have no alternative deterrent and no plan to tackle illegal migration, to frustrate the only solution on offer."
Peers voted 245 to 208 that the African nation could not be viewed as being safe until promised protections are in place.
READ MORE ON THE RWANDA BILL
They then voted 247 to 195 that anyone who has aided the UK military, such as Afghan interpreters, should be exempt from being put on the planes.
The legislation will now be sent back to the Commons for MPs to consider the latest changes on Monday for a fourth round of ping-pong.
Ministers had hoped to sign the plan into law this week and begin operationalizing flights shortly after.
The Lords has been a problem for the piece of legislation, as Rishi Sunak does not have a majority in the upper house, and peers are far more hostile to the plan.
Most read in News
The “ping-pong” between the two chambers is expected to continue until one side - usually the unelected Lords - gives in to the other.
Meanwhile, the Home Office has struck a fresh deal with Vietnam to deter illegal migrants getting on small boats.
It includes increased communication campaigns warding off would-be illegal attempts, as well as better intelligence-sharing.
Robert Jenrick answers YOUR questions - including Biden or Trump, his Rwanda hol with Suella & secrets behind his glow up