The House of Lords snubbed ministerial calls last night to back down by introducing yet more amendments to the Government’s Rwanda Bill.
They insisted by 245 votes to 208, majority 37, on a requirement that the east African country cannot be treated as safe until promised protections are in place.
A short time later, the upper chamber inflicted a further defeat, again backing by 247 votes to 195, majority 52, an exemption from removal for those who worked with the UK military or Government overseas, such as Afghan interpreters.
The Lords’ insistence on the amendments ensures a fourth round of “ping-pong” over the Bill, where legislation is batted between the two Houses until agreement is reached.
The legislation will now be sent back to the Commons for MPs to consider the latest changes by peers.
It is now expected that the Commons will consider the changes on Monday next week, dashing No 10’s hopes to get it through yesterday.
Home Secretary James Cleverly, said: “Terrified that the Rwanda scheme will work, and desperate to delay or disrupt over a hundred votes about stopping the boats, Labour have acted again to block the passage of the Rwanda Bill.
“It’s been another politically cynical effort by them, who have no alternative deterrent and no plan to tackle illegal migration, to frustrate the only solution on offer.
“We want to break the criminal people smuggling gangs and stop the boats. Labour, uncomfortable with tackling immigration, will clearly stop at nothing to stop the planes.”
Do you think the Lords who are blocking the Rwanda Bill are undermining British democracy? Have your say.
