Tory rebels are making a bold move to toughen up Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan to automatically overrule meddling European judges. Over 30 rightwing MPs are backing this bid, which aims to throw out challenges from individual migrants as well.

Tight Spot for PM as Conservative "Wets" Threaten to Withdraw Support

The Prime Minister is facing a difficult situation as "Conservative" "wets" have warned that any toughening of the legislation will lead to them pulling their support. Damian Green, leader of the One Nation caucus of moderates, claimed that Mr. Sunak personally assured him that the Bill would not go any further.

Emergency Legislation Returns to Commons Next Week

The emergency legislation, aimed at salvaging the flagship deportation scheme, survived a muted revolt last month and will return to the Commons next week. However, a group of hawkish backbenchers known as the "Five Families" cabal, who abstained on the first vote in December, still believe that the current draft law is too weak.

Proposed Amendments to Strengthen the Bill

The rebels are supporting an amendment tabled by ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick and Brexit Spartan Sir Bill Cash to end the legal blocks to deportation flights. Their proposals would see ministers ignoring Strasbourg judges if they demand a deportation flight to be stopped on European Court of Human Rights grounds. They also aim to limit individual asylum seekers' ability to challenge their removal through endless court battles and disapply ECHR and Human Rights Act hurdles from migration policy using "notwithstanding clauses".

Leading Lawyers Support the Reforms

The group claims that their reforms have received approval from leading lawyers who insist that they do not breach international law. Mr. Jenrick emphasized the importance of fixing the Bill to prevent illegal crossings and wastage of taxpayer money.

PM Open to "Bright Ideas" for Strengthening the Bill

Mr. Sunak has stated that he is open to "bright ideas" from MPs who want to strengthen the Bill. However, he has warned that Rwanda would withdraw its support if the legislation is further toughened. The 100-strong group of One Nation Conservatives has also threatened to oppose any additional toughening.

Immigration Minister Tom Pursglove confirmed that the Rwanda Bill is the single toughest piece of immigration legislation ever introduced in the house and that the government is committed to sending illegal migrants to Kigali as soon as possible.