In a significant challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's authority, two senior cabinet ministers have raised serious objections to his flagship Rwanda asylum policy, warning it may prove ineffective in stopping both legal challenges and small boat crossings.
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Policing Minister Chris Philp have privately expressed concerns that the current legislation doesn't go far enough to address the issues that saw the Supreme Court declare the scheme unlawful last month.
Growing Cabinet Rebellion
The ministers' interventions come as former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who resigned last week over the policy, is reportedly gathering support for amendments that would severely restrict individual asylum seekers' ability to appeal against removal to Rwanda.
According to sources, both Badenoch and Philp believe the government's current approach risks failing to achieve its primary objectives: ending legal challenges under the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights, while effectively deterring Channel crossings.
Internal Party Division Deepens
The growing discontent within cabinet ranks presents a major headache for Sunak, who has staked his political credibility on stopping the boats as one of his five key priorities.
Jenrick's proposed amendments, which have gained traction among right-wing Tory MPs, would essentially block individual claims except in the most exceptional circumstances and explicitly disapply international law that could hinder removals.
Legal Battles Loom
The government's Safety of Rwanda Bill, published last week, aims to address the Supreme Court's concerns by declaring Rwanda a safe country in UK law. However, critics argue it still leaves room for extensive legal challenges that could delay or prevent removals.
With the Conservative Party deeply divided on immigration strategy and the clock ticking toward an expected general election next year, the Prime Minister faces mounting pressure from both wings of his party to find a solution that can actually deliver results.
