Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Daily Mirror

Politics

Dan Bloom

Tory human rights crackdown on migrants is crushed - all 69 MPs who voted for it

Jonathan Gullis Boris Johnson Human Rights Caroline Johnson Priti Patel Rwanda

A Tory bid to deport migrants even when judges rule it is against their human rights has been crushed at the first hurdle.

Boris Johnson was said to be among MPs who backed a law to “proceed with removals” to Rwanda, “regardless” of any decision by an international court.

But in a rare move, MPs blocked it from going any further in the Commons after less than 15 minutes of debate - and Mr Johnson did not turn up to the vote.

They voted 188-69 to kill off the Asylum Seekers (Removal to Safe Countries) Bill, moved by the MP Jonathan Gullis and backed by former Home Secretary Priti Patel.

The crackdown was put forward by Tory MP Jonathan Gullis (left) and backed by ex-PM Boris Johnson (right), but Mr Johnson did not take part in the vote (Getty Images)

Ex-ministers Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg had also been said to be in favour but did not take part in the vote. There are many reasons MPs can abstain in a vote, and today's showdown came as a surprise to some.

The Tory government is still battling to send a single asylum seeker to Rwanda after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against a removal flight.

Britain has already paid Rwanda £120million to take the UK’s unwanted asylum seekers and Rishi Sunak has vowed to plough on with the policy - branded cruel and unworkable by critics.

Migrants sit onboard a boat navigating in the Channel (AFP via Getty Images)

Under the plan, migrants who arrive by illegal routes - including genuine refugees - would be taken before being given a chance to apply for protected refugee status in the UK.

The Bill would have given the new Nationality and Borders Bill effect even if there is “inconsistency or incompatibility with international or other domestic law.”

And it would force the Home Secretary to “proceed with such removals regardless of any decision or judgment of any international court or body”.

Mr Gullis complained there was an “unprecedented influx of asylum seekers”.

He added: “This will demonstrate to the public that they are serious about using the offshoring deal signed with Rwanda to deter those seeking to come into this country illegally.

“Whilst also making sure the final say on legislative matters lies in Parliament, not judges in a quasi-legislative supranational court in Strasbourg.”

But SNP MP Alison Thewliss slammed the “offensive, grubby, dangerous” Bill being brought forward on the same day four people died in the Channel.

She said of Mr Gullis: “He should be ashamed of himself, and if he had any sense and compassion he would have withdrawn it today.”

She added: “No one is illegal. This Bill just might be.”

Ten-minute rule Bills, as they are called, usually pass their first hurdle without objection but SNP MPs forced a vote this time.

Four Tory MPs voted against Mr Gullis' Bill - Sir Robert Buckland, David Davis, Simon Hoare and David Simmonds.

It was also opposed by 124 Labour MPs, 10 Lib Dems, 36 SNP MPs and a number from smaller parties and independents. The full breakdown is on the Commons website here.