Robert Jenrick resigns as immigration minister over Rwanda bill in huge blow to Rishi Sunak
Embattled Rishi Sunak is delivering a statement about the government’s draft Rwanda law after his immigration minister quit in protest at the plan, saying it would not work.
Robert Jenrick, a close ally of Mr Sunak, said a draft law published by Downing Street on Wednesday evening was a “triumph of hope over experience”.
The bill, due before parliament later today, gives ministers the power to disregard some human rights law but does not go as far as some Tory rightwingers wanted.
Mr Sunak, who will hold a press conference on the bill today, chose not to fully opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights. Critics say this leaves the plan open to further legal challenges in the courts.
Mr Jenrick, in a scathing resignation letter, told Mr Sunak he did not believe the new bill “provides us with the best possible chances of success” in getting the Rwanda flights to take off.
Meanwhile senior moderate Tory Tobias Ellwood told Times Radio that he will not support the Rwanda bill if there is “any prospect” of it breaking the international laws the UK itself helped to craft.
Robert Jenrick ‘not right’ that bill will fail, says Sunak
In his scathing resignation letter, Robert Jenrick made clear he wanted to bypass the ECHR – calling the bill “a triumph of hope over experience”, Adam Forrest reports.
Asked if his exiting immigration minister was right, Rishi Sunak said: “He’s simply not right actually … I’m am entirely confident that what we’re doing is the right approach.”
The Tory leader said it was the “toughest legislation that has ever been passed on this issue”.
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 11:22
Sunak won’t expel Tory MPs voting against Rwanda bill
Rishi Sunak has said he will not expel right-wing Tory MPs voting against his Rwanda bill next week – rejecting speculation he will make it a confidence vote in the government, Adam Forrest reports.
Asked if he was telling his MPs “back me or sack”, Mr Sunak initially refused to say whether next week’s showdown vote on the bill would be a confidence vote in his government. “What I’m saying, not just to MPs but to the country, is, ‘I share their frustration’,” he said.
Asked again if it would be a confidence vote and whether would expel Tory MPs who vote against it, Mr Sunak said: “No … But what this vote is about is confidence in parliament to show it gets the British people’s frustration.”
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 11:20
Sunak insists bill will stop ‘merry-go-round’ of legal challenges
Sunak insists that his Rwanda bill will stop the “merry-go-round” of legal challenges stopping flights taking off.
He claims the legislation adequately responds to concerns raised by the Supreme Court and that Rwanda is now “unequivocally” a safe country.
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 11:19
Illegal migration undermines British sense of ‘fairness’ – Sunak
He goes on to say that illegal migration “undermines not just our border controls, it undermines the very sense of fairness that is so central to our sense of national character”.
PM adds that Britons play by the rules, put in their “fair share” and “wait our turn”.
“Now if some people can just cut all of that out, you’ve not just lost control of your borders, you’ve fatally undermined the very fairness upon which trust is built in our system.”
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 11:13
‘My family came here legally’
PM tells reporters that, as the child of immigrants, he “understands” why people decide to make the treacherous journey across the Channel.
He says people come because the UK is a great place, offering “opportunity, hope and safety”.
“But the difference is my family came here legally”, he adds.
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 11:08
Sunak: Bill is toughest-ever anti-illegal migration plan
Sunak starts by saying the government has published the toughest ever anti-illegal migration law.
He says he accepts the plan will upset some people and that people would “hear a lot of criticism about it”
“So it’s right” that “I explain why I have decided to do this”.
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 11:05
Watch: Sunak gives update on Rwanda plan
Rishi Sunak is about to give a press conference on his Rwanda plan.
The prime minister was hit with a resignation last night after the government published legislation it claimed would get flights taking off.
But critics say the bill does not go far enough and the plan to deport asylum seekers will still be open to legal challenges.
We’ll bring you text updates from the press conference – you can also watch it live on The Independent’s YouTube channel:
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 10:57
Sunak creates new minister for ‘illegal migration’ after Jenrick exit
Rishi Sunak has split ministerial responsibility for legal and illegal migration as he replaced Robert Jenrick.
Michael Tomlinson will be the illegal migration minister in the Home Office, and will also attend cabinet.
Tom Pursglove will be the minister for legal migration and delivery in the Home Office.
Robert Courts replaces Mr Tomlinson as solicitor general.
(screen grab)
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 10:54
Rishi Sunak faces grilling at Covid inquiry next week
Embattled Tory leader Rishi Sunak will be grilled about his actions during the Covid pandemic when he appears before the public inquiry on Monday.
The PM is fighting to save his premiership after resignation of immigration minister Robert Jenrick, as he failed to appease the Tory right with his Rwanda legislation.
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 10:46
Rishi Sunak will not lead us into election – anonymous Tory MP
Amid reports that Conservative MPs have been submitting no-confidence letters, one MP has reportedly said Rishi Sunak would not lead the party into the next election.
“Rishi Sunak will not lead us into a general election,” the anonymous Tory MP told Mail on Sunday commentator Dan Hodges.
Under Tory Party rules, some 15 per cent (53) of the party’s MPs would need to send in letters of no confidence in Mr Sunak to trigger a contest.
Matt Mathers7 December 2023 10:29
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
