Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has criticised Rishi Sunak's Rwanda asylum scheme, calling the draft law 'weak' and predicting it will be 'bogged down' by legal challenges. In his first interview since resigning, Jenrick told the BBC that the legislation would not create a sufficient deterrent to stop small boat crossings.
Jenrick, who quit over the policy, said the bill would allow a 'range of legal claims' and that those facing deportation could appeal on individual safety grounds. He described the government's approach as a 'political choice' that would not succeed, adding that he could not support the bill in Tuesday's vote.
The government's legislation seeks to declare Rwanda a safe country in UK law, following the Supreme Court's ruling that the scheme was unlawful. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted the bill will only permit challenges where there is a 'real and imminent risk of serious and irreversible harm'.
However, Jenrick argued that even if some 'symbolic' flights take off, the numbers deported would be too low to deter migrants. He warned that the Conservative Party faces a 'three strikes or you're out' situation after two previous bills on illegal migration.
The bill has divided Tory MPs, with some on the right, including the European Research Group, saying it is not 'sufficiently watertight'. Liberal Tories argue it goes too far in bypassing courts. Labour and opposition parties plan to vote against it, meaning the government needs sufficient Conservative support to pass the first stage.
