RISHI Sunak will IGNORE certain human rights laws in a radical bid to get Rwanda flights going – and end the “scourge” of illegal migration.
The PM tonight unveiled the “toughest immigration legislation ever” which will also give him the power to overrule meddling European judges.
Rishi Sunak leaving Downing Street todayAlamy
AFPHome Secretary Suella Braverman in the Commons earlier[/caption]
His Safety and Rwanda bill comes alongside yesterday’s new treaty with the hope of starting the first removals by next spring.
The plan will disapply elements of the Human Rights Act which would have exposed the government to more relentless legal delay.
By also declaring in law that Rwanda is “safe”, ministers believe courts will be forced to throw out any challenges to their flagship scheme.
The bill will also let ministers override European Court of Human Rights edicts to block planes from taking off, like the one grounded at the last minute in 2022.
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While the package will likely anger centrist Tory MPs, Mr Sunak tonight insisted it was necessary to crack the migrant crisis.
The PM said: “I have been unequivocal that we can no longer tolerate the endless scourge of illegal migration on our country.
“It is costing us billions of pounds and costing innocent lives, and that is why we are taking action to put a stop to it and make clear once and for all that it is Parliament that should decide who comes to this country, not criminal gangs.
“Through this new landmark emergency legislation, we will control our borders, deter people taking perilous journeys across the channel and end the continuous legal challenges filling our courts.
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“And we will disapply sections of the Human Rights Act from the key parts of the Bill, specifically in the case of Rwanda, to ensure our plan cannot be stopped.”
Right-wing Tories appeared to welcome the proposals, saying it is “good” and “encouraging”.
Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “It has the notwithstanding clause in it. That’s good and initial reading is encouraging. But we are waiting for the legal advice.”
On the fact the Bill was published before it was presented to Parliament, he said: “One does not have to be too prickly about these things.”
But a source close to Suella Braverman said: “The Prime Minister has kept the ability for every single illegal migrant to make individual human rights claims against their removal and to then appeal those claims if they don’t succeed at first.
“It is fatally flawed. It will be bogged down in the courts for months and months.”
Earlier Ms Braverman herself warned the Tories face “electoral oblivion” within months unless Mr Sunak grips illegal migration.
In a dramatic Commons statement, the former Home Secretary railed against the arrivals “pouring into our country” on small boats.
The scorned ex-Cabinet Minister said: “All of this comes down to a simple question: who governs Britain?”
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