A legal evaluation by the Conservative party has found that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s legislation regarding Rwanda is inadequate and has dealt him a new setback.
Bill Cash, the leader of the team of lawyers known as the “star chamber” for the European Research Group, stated in the Daily Telegraph that the current legislation does not fully meet the government’s goals, specifically in regards to avoiding legal challenges from individuals attempting to stay in the UK.
Cash argues that parliament has the ability to pass laws that supersede international treaties, as long as the language used is precise and leaves no room for misinterpretation.
Former home secretary Suella Braverman has challenged the prime minister’s statement that the bill would have caused the collapse of Rwanda’s government if it had proceeded further. She expressed her disbelief at this claim.
Braverman, who was dismissed by Sunak in November, stated to the Sunday Telegraph: “I have visited Rwanda multiple times and have had numerous discussions with the Rwandan government. They have never expressed any concerns like this.”
The Member of Parliament for Fareham stated that the inclusion of a clause in the asylum and immigration bill for Rwanda’s safety, which permits individuals to file legal challenges, would delay deportation flights by at least six months.
Sunak encouraged the Labour party to support his proposals on Saturday evening, advising Keir Starmer to “elevate above political tactics” and “prioritize the well-being of the country” by backing the legislation.
The government’s lawyers have stated that the controversial Rwanda immigration program has a “50% at best” chance of starting deportations before the upcoming general election.
According to a report from the Times, the government’s legal counsel warned that there was a high chance of the European Court of Human Rights preventing deportation flights under the program. This news came at the end of a chaotic week for Sunak.
The recommendation was approved by Sir James Eadie, the UK’s chief legal advisor, who was in charge of the government’s defense of the policy in the supreme court, according to the newspaper.
The recently proposed legislation in Rwanda would grant ministers the power to disregard injunctions from the European Court in Strasbourg. This has sparked contention within the party, as some debate whether it would violate the UK’s commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights. Sunak, however, has refuted this claim.
The Conservative party has been divided by the bill. This week, Robert Jenrick resigned from his position as immigration minister due to the legislation, stating that it was “an expression of optimism rather than practicality”. He stepped down from his role after it was disclosed that the legislation did not give the government the power to override international laws that have hindered their ability to deport asylum seekers to central Africa.
Next week, the proposed law will undergo additional examination following a mandate for the Home Office to disclose the complete expenses of the agreement with Rwanda. The expenses for the program have increased from £140 million to £290 million.
Jenrick wrote in the Telegraph over the weekend, stating that his party will encounter the anger of voters if they do not enforce stricter measures to decrease immigration levels. He accused Sunak of not fulfilling his vow to take necessary actions in order to prevent individuals from crossing the Channel on small boats.
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Gavin Barwell, a member of the Conservative party and former chief aide to Theresa May, characterized the party as being difficult to lead, drawing parallels to the Brexit crisis that May faced in 2018-19.
During an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he stated that there are conflicting views within the party. One side is worried that the legislation violates international laws, while the other side wants to push it even further.
He suggested that some members of the Conservative party were causing division in order to advance their own political goals. When asked to provide specific names, he mentioned that Suella Braverman was making unrealistic demands, and that Rishi Sunak would have been surprised by Robert Jenrick’s decision to resign.
Barwell stated that the debate surrounding immigration was overshadowing other important matters that voters may have deemed equally significant. He also acknowledged that voters have major concerns regarding the cost of living, the state of the national health service, and other public services. Barwell emphasized the need for the Conservative party to address all of these issues with equal fervor.
The government is dedicated to taking all necessary measures to prevent boats from coming and to start flights to Rwanda as soon as possible. This is why we have addressed the supreme court’s ruling and proposed the strictest immigration laws ever presented to parliament.
“Rwanda is ready to welcome large numbers of people relocated there. It is a safe country that cares deeply about supporting refugees, and our safety of Rwanda bill will make this absolutely clear in UK law.”
Source: theguardian.com
