Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Tory MPs revolt against Sunak's Rwanda bill

The objective of the rebel MPs is to tighten the conditions under which appeals could be lodged, aiming to prevent potential legal blocks on deportation flights

Tory MPs revolt against Sunak's Rwanda bill

Rishi Sunak faces a brewing rebellion within the Conservative party as over 30 MPs from the party's right-wing bloc rally to change the bill next week regarding the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The proposed amendments aim to restrict the avenues for appealing deportation orders, showcasing deep divisions within the Tories concerning this priority policy of the Prime Minister, the BBC reported.


The rebel MPs, including notable figures like former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former home secretary Suella Braverman, and ex-migration minister Robert Jenrick, argue that the current bill, designed to label Rwanda as a safe destination for refugees, fails to curtail individual appeals effectively.

Their objective is to tighten the conditions under which appeals could be lodged, aiming to prevent potential legal blocks on deportation flights.

The initial Supreme Court ruling against sending asylum seekers to Rwanda led the government to introduce this bill, aiming to establish Rwanda's status as a safe haven in UK law and circumvent legal hindrances to deportation flights.

However, rebel MPs anticipate that the proposed bill, in its current form, might still succumb to individual legal challenges, prompting their call for stricter limitations on appeals and the dismissal of injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights.

The proposed amendments face imminent failure in the upcoming vote next Tuesday (16) as they are unlikely to garner sufficient backing from Labour MPs, necessary to overturn the government's majority.

However, their numbers could jeopardise the bill's passage in later stages, potentially challenging Sunak's slim parliamentary majority if they unite with Labour MPs opposing the Rwanda policy.

Former migration minister Robert Jenrick stressed that failing to rectify the bill could lead to continued illegal crossings and unsustainable costs for taxpayers in managing asylum seekers.

He advocated for limited appeal options, particularly for cases involving pregnant women and individuals unfit for travel, to deter unlawful migration.

However, internal divisions within the Conservative party intensify as more liberal One Nation Tory MPs raise concerns about further tightening the bill, emphasising the delicate balance between policy strictness and compliance with international law.

Downing Street have previously called the bill "the toughest legislation ever introduced to Parliament" and says it "makes clear that this Parliament, not any foreign court, is sovereign."

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less