Rishi Sunak news – live: PM in crisis as Tory ‘star chamber’ rejects Rwanda plan

Rishi Sunak’s premiership appears to be in the balance as the so-called “star chamber” of Tory lawyers concluded his emergency plans to rescue the ailing Rwanda asylum scheme are “not fit for purpose”.

The verdict, which will be closely watched by rebel MPs, sets the prime minister up for a potential defeat in a crucial Commons vote on Tuesday, in a struggle now reminiscent of Theresa May’s fight with a bitterly divided Conservative Party over Brexit.

The bill is a last-ditch bid to get planes in the air after the Supreme Court ruled the government’s previous plans illegal, however right-wing Tories are now urging No 10 to override the European Conventions on Human Rights, after the chair of the team of lawyers signalled the bill is not “sufficiently watertight”.

With the vote requiring a rebellion of only 28 Tories to fail, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to say the Conservatives cannot govern while they are “fighting like rats in a sack” in a speech on Tuesday.

Key Points

• Rishi Sunak facing major crisis as Tory ‘star chamber’ rejects Rwanda plan

• ‘Unite or die,’ Rishi Sunak urges Tories ahead of key Rwanda vote

• No 10 declines to say if it will compromise with rebels

• Rwanda deal costs will rise to £290m

• 18 Tories have submitted no confidence letters - report

Sunak has spent weekend trying to quell rebellion

23:00 , Sam Rkaina

Mr Sunak and top ministers including Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron have been engaging with MPs over the weekend in order to quell any rebellion.

The Prime Minister has tried to find a middle ground in response to the Supreme Court finding that plans to send asylum seekers who arrive on small boats are unlawful.

But some on the right believe it does not go far enough in casting aside international law, while moderates have concerns about its legal impact and about ordering courts to deem Rwanda a “safe” country.

Mr Sunak has told MPs the Conservatives must “unite or die”, but it is unclear whether they will heed his warnings, as some of his possible successors court limelight.

Tory factions to hold summits over Sunak’s Rwanda Bill before crunch vote

22:00 , Sam Rkaina

Tory MPs from both wings of the bitterly divided party will convene to discuss their verdicts on Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda legislation in a major test for his leadership.

The European Research Group of hardline Brexiteers will first hold a summit on the measure to revive the asylum policy with other factions on the Conservative right on Monday.

Veteran MP Sir Bill Cash will present the findings of his so-called “star chamber” of lawyers, before they discuss how to vote on the Prime Minister’s Bill on Tuesday.

But Sir Bill has already signalled that they do not believe the proposed law is fit for purpose to get the grounded £290 million scheme up and running, as it stands.

Then the more moderate wing of One Nation Conservatives will hold a separate evening meeting in Parliament before releasing a statement on their judgment.

Three options government is considering to make Rwanda deportation plan work

21:00 , Sam Rkaina

Mr Sunak, under pressure from MPs on the right of his party to reduce migration to the UK, is said to be taking a three-pronged approach to make his Rwanda plan, which has already cost taxpayers £140m, viable.

The first part of that plan was for the UK to update its memorandum of understanding with Rwanda to a treaty. James Cleverly this week met with his counterpart, Vincent Biruta, to put pen to paper in a signing ceremony and to discuss key next steps on the so-called migration and economic development partnership.

The second part of the government’s plan was to effectively ignore or override the Supreme Court’s ruling by passing emergency legislation in parliament that would designate Rwanda as a safe country, in a highly controversial move that has been criticised by eminent legal professionals and experts.

The government is also said to be considering a third option: preparing a dossier of evidence designed to show that Rwanda is a safe country for asylum seekers to be sent to.

For more detail on the three options, and their flaws, click here.

Rishi Sunak locked outside No 10 with Mark Rutte in awkward moment

20:00 , Sam Rkaina

It’s fair to say Rishi Sunak has not had the best week.

Rebellions from his own party and rumblings of leadership challenges notwithstanding, he found himself literally locked out of Number 10 on Thursday.

The UK prime minister and his outgoing Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte were meeting in London for policy discussions.

Mr Rutte arrived to greet Mr Sunak and the pair posed for photographs as they shook hands.

Then Mr Sunak turned to open the door - only to find they were locked out.

They continue to chat as Mr Sunak attempted to push the door, before someone already inside eventually let them in.

Rishi Sunak locked outside No 10 with Mark Rutte in awkward moment

Gove insists Sunak won’t call general election if he loses key Rwanda vote

19:00 , Sam Rkaina

Speaking earlier on Sunday, Michael Gove insisted the government was not thinking about launching a general election if it fails to get the Bill through parliament.

“No, we’re not contemplating that because I’m confident that when people look at the legislation and have a chance to reflect they will recognise this is a tough but also proportionate measure,” he told Sky.

He argued to the BBC that it is “legally sound” despite one legal assessment for the government giving it a “50 per cent at best” chance of success, and said it only leaves “narrow” scope for court appeals.

Rwanda president Paul Kagame like ‘Putin of Africa’, Bill Browder claims

18:00 , Sam Rkaina

The president of Rwanda “is like the Putin of Africa”, an anti-corruption campaigner who has taken on the Russian president has said.

Financier and political activist Bill Browder made the comparison between Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Russian president Vladimir Putin on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

He was on the show to discuss emergency legislation which aims to rescue the Government’s plan to send asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda after the scheme was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Mr Browder used the example of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager hero on whom the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda was based.

Mr Rusesabagina was sentenced in 2021 to 25 years in prison in Rwanda on terrorism charges. He was released after serving two years and returned to the US, where he now lives.

“I know this story very intimately because, the hero of the movie Hotel Rwanda, the guy who saved 1,200 people during the genocide, he was critical of Paul Kagame,” Mr Browder said.

“He was then kidnapped, brought back to Rwanda and sentenced to 25 years in a trumped-up trial. The idea that we’re going to be sending political refugees to a country that’s like that is just absurd.”

Mr Browder added that the whole Rwanda migration plan should be “torn up”.

“The whole thing should be torn up and thrown out,” he said. “If we want to stop uncontrolled migration there are other ways, but Rwanda is just completely absurd.”

Rwanda bill only has 'narrow exemptions' for appeal against deportation, Gove says

17:07 , Andy Gregory

‘It makes me feel sick’: Mixed nationality couples share their outrage at new Tory immigration plan

16:47 , Andy Gregory

Thousands of mixed nationality couples face “sickening” uncertainty after new immigration legislation doubled the earning requirement for obtaining a spouse visa.

As part of the new five-step immigration plan, partners hoping to settle in the UK on a spouse visa will only be able to do so if their husband or wife is earning £38,700 – a £20,000 increase from the current figure of £18,700.

The new rules come into force in April, but the Home Office says those who are on a family visa of less than £38,700 will not be asked to immediately present their yearly salary, but it has not clarified what will unfold when they come to renew their visa.

The increase has sparked concern in many marriages, MP Nadia Whittome said: “Three-quarters of British workers won’t be able to get a visa for a spouse from abroad.”

My colleague Lydia Patrick has spoken to families who fear they will be forced to leave the UK:

Mixed nationality couples share their outrage at the new Tory immigration plan

Sunak’s Rwanda plan is ‘strong meat’, says Gove

16:02 , Andy Gregory

The government’s new Rwanda legislation is “strong meat”, Communities Secretary Michael Gove has said.

Mr Gove told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “It strikes out human rights legislation in a way that some people I know find strong meat.

“And it’s because the reaction from those who are critical of the Bill on one side is so clear, that I think that we can take it that this Bill is certainly the robust measure required.”

He added that it was “not correct” that everyone could make a claim under the new legislation.

Watch: Rishi Sunak 'not contemplating' early election, says Michael Gove

15:49 , Andy Gregory

Rebels prepared to vote against Sunak’s bill – in 2024

15:21 , Andy Gregory

One senior Conservative MP involved in the “star chamber” discussions told The Independent that the critique of the bill set out on Monday afternoon would be “strong”.

The Tory right-winger said the ability of individuals to make legal claims “could see the courts inundated, which would mean the whole process getting snarled up again”.

The senior MP also said some rebels were prepared to vote against in early in 2024. “I think many see the wisdom in biding their time until the third reading. If it’s not remedied, then we shouldn’t back a bill that doesn’t do the business.”

They denied using the bill as a bid to plot against the PM – insisting that the challenge was not about Mr Sunak’s leadership.

‘Bonkers’ to replace Rishi Sunak, says David Davis

15:03 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Senior Tory David Davis told The Independent that the rebels “would be bonkers to vote against it – the bill goes about as far as it can”.

The former cabinet minister said he did not think 29 MPs would defy Mr Sunak when it came to the crunch of the third reading stage in January.

Mr Davis said a small number of MPs were on “manoeuvres” against Mr Sunak.

“It’s silly. It’s self-evident that some are using this issue [to undermine the PM]. I talk to people who have very little time for Rishi Sunak, but who still think it’d be bonkers to replace him.”

Michael Gove defends ‘salty’ Tory meme

14:32 , Andy Gregory

Michael Gove has defended a “salty” social media post from his party that attacks Labour with an image of a BBC News presenter unwittingly giving the middle finger during a broadcast – which has been criticised by senior Tories Alicia Kearns and Tobias Ellwood.

Asked on Sky News about the post, housing secretary Mr Gove said: “It’s certainly a salty intervention in public debate.

“But I think the important thing to bear in mind is that our political conversation takes place in a variety of different ways, on different platforms, and it’s important both to engage people where they are but also, a very powerful point is made is that Labour have nothing to say on the question of illegal migration.

“I think that anyone who has ever looked at my social media will see that I am no social media ninja.

“My social media is herbivorous, to put it mildly – but on social media you have a lively debate and that is a powerful contribution to a very lively debate.”

Right-wing Tories to meet on Monday to hear Rwanda ‘star chamber’ findings

14:15 , Andy Gregory

Conservatives on the right of the party will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss a legal examination of Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda legislation.

Mark Francois, chairman for the European Research Group, said: “The ERG will be meeting tomorrow, from noon onwards, to hear a presentation from Sir Bill Cash on the findings of his ‘star chamber’ of legal experts, following their forensic examination of the Rwanda Bill.

“Under the circumstances, we are also extending an invitation to members of other backbench groups within the Conservative family, including the New Conservatives; the Common Sense Group; the Conservative Growth Group and the Northern Research Group.

“We then aim to have a collective discussion about our best approach to the Second Reading of the Bill, on Tuesday.”

Michelle Mone hits out at government over PPE controversy

13:56 , Andy Gregory

Tory peer Michelle Mone has accused the government of using her as a scapegoat for its own Covid failings, as she conceded making an “error” in publicly denying her links to the PPE Medpro firm being investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Lady Mone told The Telegraph she is “ashamed of being a Conservative peer given what this government has done to us”, as the Ultimo bra tycoon launched a public defence on Sunday over the controversy surrounding “VIP lane” contracts during the pandemic.

PPE Medpro was awarded government contracts worth more than £200m to supply personal protective equipment after she recommended it to ministers. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since issued breach of contract proceedings over the 2020 deal on the supply of gowns.

Lady Mone told a YouTube documentary that she and her husband Doug Barrowman would be cleared, arguing they have “done nothing wrong”, but said: “I made an error in what I said to the press. I regret not saying to the press straight away, ‘Yes, I am involved.’ And the government knew I was involved.”

She claimed it is “100 per cent a lie” to suggest she was not transparent with officials, and the pair claimed a “DHSC negotiator” suggested the case could “go away” for the right sum.

Labour’s Wes Streeting claims ‘wasteful’ NHS using winter crises as excuse for cash

13:37 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has accused the “wasteful” NHS of using repeated winter crises as “an excuse to ask for more money”.

The key figure in Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet said the public needed “to hear the truth about the NHS” – promising a “tough love” approach to running the health service.

Mr Streeting vowed to “shake the NHS and the public out of complacency” over Britain’s healthcare, as he pledged to bring back a family doctor system as part of Labour’s wide-ranging reforms.

“I think people working in the NHS and the patients using the NHS can see examples of waste and inefficiency,” he told The Sunday Times on a visit to Singapore.

And in an outspoken attack on health service bosses, Mr Streeting added: “I don’t think it’s good enough that the NHS uses every winter crisis and every challenge it faces as an excuse to ask for more money.”

Labour’s Wes Streeting claims ‘wasteful’ NHS using winter crises as excuse for cash

Stop ‘mad’ plotting against Sunak and back Rwanda plan, Tory rebels warned

13:19 , Andy Gregory

Senior Conservatives have urged their fellow Tory MPs to stop plotting against Rishi Sunak and back his Rwanda plan in next week’s crucial Commons vote.

Ex-Brexit minister David Davis accused Mr Sunak’s rivals of exacerbating the crisis to boost their own leadership profiles, telling Sky News: “I’m not going to name them [the MPs]. All of my colleagues know who they are – and it will be to their long-term disadvantage.

“I’ve seen this before. People who trade off their own future against the future of the party always lose.”

In a similar appeal for calm, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith urged his party on GB News to “stop shouting and just literally discuss these things in a reasonable way”.

And with some Tory MPs even reported to be planning an “Advent calendar of s***” for Mr Sunak and plotting the return of Boris Johnson on a “dream ticket” leadership bid with Nigel Farage, moderate Damian Green said: “Anyone who thinks that what the Conservative party or the country needs is a change of prime minister is either mad or malicious or both.”

“It is a very, very small number doing that [plotting to oust Mr Sunak] – a vanishing small number,” he told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show.

‘Five families’ of Tory MPs will discuss bill on Monday

12:52 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Senior right-winger Sir Bill Cash will present the “star chamber” findings on the Rwanda bill to MPs in five different backbench groups at lunchtime on Monday.

Brexiteer Mark Francois, the European Research Group chairman, said a presentation on the “forensic examination” of Rishi Sunak’s bill would be heard at noon.

He said an invitation had been extended to MPs in the New Conservatives group run by Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, the Common Sense Group run by Suella Braverman ally Johns Hayes, the Conservative Growth Group made up of Liz Truss allies, and the Northern Research Group of red-wall MPs.

“We then aim to have a collective discussion about our best approach to the second reading of the Bill, on Tuesday,” said Mr Francois.

Tories could see worst general election result in history with just 130 seats, says John Curtice

12:39 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are facing their worst ever result at the general election and could be left with just 130 seats, according to Professor Sir John Curtice.

The country’s top polling guru warned of the bleak situation faced by the Tories as they head into winter with the news dominated by in-fighting over the PM’s Rwanda deportation plan.

Prof Curtice said Mr Sunak’s party would be “lucky to win [many] more than 200 seats” and could see an even worse result if its dire poll ratings continued.

“If these patterns were to be replicated in a general election, the outcome for the Conservatives could be bleak indeed – maybe as few as 130 seats, the worst outcome in the party’s history,” he wrote for the Sunday Telegraph.

The outcome would be even worse than the 165 seats the Tories were left with in 1997, when the party, then led by John Major, was thumped by Tony Blair’s Labour – who won a landslide 179-seat majority.

Tories facing general election wipeout with just 130 seats, says John Curtice

Braverman suggest Sunak is lying about Rwanda’s concerns over bill

11:55 , Adam Forrest

Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman has piled even more pressure on Rishi Sunak – attacking his “rather strange” claim that a tougher bill would have caused the deal with Rwanda to collapse.

Suggesting the PM was not telling the truth, she told the Sunday Telegraph: “I’ve been to Rwanda several times and I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. It never once raised any kind of concerns like this.”

Ms Braverman said the bill “not fit for purpose” because of the “gaping holes” she believes it leaves open for legal challenges.

Backing Robert Jenrick’s claim that the bill leaves open legal challenges by individual asylum seekers, Ms Braverman said: “There will be individual claims brought by every person who is put on the first flight to Rwanda.”

She also claimed the bill it leaves the government open to injunctions by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which helped block last year’s planned Rwanda flight. “As it stands Rule 39 [injunctions] will block flights,” Ms Braverman said.

Iain Duncan Smith wants ‘jungle’ of Tory infighting to stop

11:41 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has appealed to MPs to end their in-fighting over the Rwanda bill and discuss the issue “in a reasonable way”.

The former Tory leader suggested that he wanted to support Rishi Sunak’s plan – but said he would wait to hear the legal verdict of the “star chamber” convened by the Tory right.

He said on GB News: “The truth is, we do a lot of shouting at the moment and I wish we'd stop shouting and just literally discuss these things in a reasonable way.

“I've been in the jungle now for 32 years, it’s called parliament. And frankly, that is worse than any insect bites you can possibly get.”

“So there’s good stuff in [the bill] and it’s a good attempt to do this. The question is whether on the margins that brings the exact results or unexpected consequences and so I’ve held my own counsel. I want to see what the final report of these lawyers.”

Asked if he thought flights to Rwanda would take off before the next general election, he said: “I think we have to. I think it is wholly feasible.”

Rwanda president Kagame is ‘like Putin of Africa’, says Bill Browder

11:29 , Andy Gregory

The president of Rwanda “is like the Putin of Africa”, anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder has said.

The head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign told the BBC: “Everyone’s ignoring the elephant in the room which is Rwanda. So, the president of Rwanda Paul Kagame is like the Putin of Africa.”

Mr Browder used the example of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager hero on whom the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda was based, who in 2021 was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Rwanda on terrorism charges. He was released after serving two years and returned to the US, where he now lives.

Mr Browder added: “The idea that we’re going to be sending political refugees to a country that’s like that is just absurd. The whole thing should be torn up and thrown out.”

Rwanda president Paul Kagame like ‘Putin of Africa’, Bill Browder claims

Sunak’s government ‘in desperate dying days’, says Labour

11:11 , Andy Gregory

Shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has been quizzed about Labour’s migration policies on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

Asked about the new £38,000 minimum salary threshold the government proposes for skilled workers, Ms Kendall refused to say what figure the Labour Party would set but said they had called for a raise in the previous limit of £18,600.

“It really does feel like the desperate dying days of this government. Labour understands it is a serious issue dealing with this,” she said.

“My concern is this endless merry-go-round of bills being put forward by the government means we’re not going to deal with an issue which is really important for the country.”

Analysis | And they’re off: Kemi Badenoch takes an early lead in the Tory leadership stakes

10:53 , Andy Gregory

In his latest column, our chief political commentator John Rentoul notes that there was not one but two articles by Conservative leadership candidates in the newspapers on Saturday. He writes:

Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, had an article in The Sun saying Brexit was a vote of confidence in the country. And Robert Jenrick, described by the online version of The Daily Telegraph as “immigration minister”, which was his job until Wednesday, has written a longer version of his resignation letter.

The collapse in Tory discipline has been so rapid that someone who is well connected to what he calls “the party in the shires” has mentioned Bob Hawke to me. This is code between us for a late change of leadership before an election, which is what the Australian Labor Party did in 1983. After the election was called, it ditched Bill Hayden, its uninspiring leader, and put Hawke in. He went on to win not just that election but three more.

That late switch was made in opposition, but it can be done in government. Anthony Eden went to the country immediately on taking office in April 1955, and in that election increased the Tory majority from 17 to 60. Boris Johnson is the only other recent example, managing to convince his opponents to give him the election he wanted three months after he became leader in 2019.

This time, the Conservatives changing leader yet again would look desperate and is likely only to make matters worse for the MPs who would have to make it happen. Even if, in the abstract, they thought that a fresh face might help to save a few seats, the process of making the change could only further damage the party’s reputation.

You can read his analysis in full here:

And they’re off: Kemi Badenoch leads in the Tory leadership stakes | John Rentoul

Watch: Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill ‘doesn’t do the job’, says Robert Jenrick

10:44 , Andy Gregory

Labour steps up criticism of Israel and demands travel bans for violent West Bank settlers

10:35 , Andy Gregory

Labour has demanded that ministers impose travel bans on Israelis responsible for settler violence in the West Bank while criticising the “intolerable” death toll in Gaza, reports Sam Blewett.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy urged the Government to provide greater assistance to humanitarian organisations supporting Palestinians.

In a hardening of Labour’s tone, he argued in an article for the Observer that “too often, Israeli authorities have turned a blind eye to settler violence”.

He also criticised two hardline Israeli ministers for their “totally unacceptable” support for settlers while promoting “dangerous and extreme rhetoric about Palestinians”.

Labour demands travel bans for perpetrators of settler violence in West Bank

Tory MPs plotting to remove Sunak ‘mad or malicious’, says One Nation leader

10:19 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Damian Green, chair of the One Nation wing of Tory moderates, had a warning some of the right-wing rebels believed to have pounced on the Rwanda issue as a way to get rid of Rishi Sunak.

“Anyone who thinks that what the Conservative party or the country needs is a change of prime minister is either mad or malicious or both,” he told BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

Mr Green added: “It is a very, very small number doing that [plotting to oust Mr Sunak] – a vanishing small number.”

Tory MPs planning ‘Advent of ‘s***’ for Sunak plotting Johnson-Farage ‘dream ticket’, report claims

10:10 , Andy Gregory

Dissatisfied Tory MPs are planning what they call “an Advent calendar of s***” for Rishi Sunak, and are still attempting to plot Boris Johnson’s return as prime minister – and are mulling a “dream ticket” leadership bid with Nigel Farage, according to the Mail on Sunday.

The paper claims to have spoken to multiple Tory MPs who believe “crashing” Mr Sunak’s government and bringing back the ex-PM is their only hope of surviving electoral oblivion – and that MPs have privately urged Mr Johnson and Mr Farage to talk.

One outlandish suggestion is that a former Johnson ally, such as Priti Patel, could be installed as a caretaker PM before he is parachuted back into No 10 via a safe seat, while the paper floats the idea that a deal could be struck with Mr Farage’s Reform party by handing him and its leader Richard Tice peerages and ministerial roles

One Red Wall MP reportedly said: “I came out early to say he had to go. But I think we have to think outside the box now. Whatever you feel about him, one thing no one can question is his effectiveness as a campaigner. And we need that now, we’re staring at obliteration.”

Jenrick claims on Rwanda bill ‘not correct’, says Michael Gove

10:02 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Michael Gove has rejected Robert Jenrick’s claim that “everyone” crossing on a small boat will be able to make a claim even after the Rwanda bill.

“That’s not correct,” the levelling up secretary said on his former colleague’s claims on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

Mr Gove said: “The number of individual cases that can cited is very small … And also it makes it clear than ministers will make a decision on whether someone can be deported.”

Asked how many legal challenges will be made, Mr Gove used Rishi Sunak’s phase. “Vanishingly small,” he said. Mr Gove insisted that the bill “will deal effectively with the situation we face”.

I’m not interested in Tory leadership bid, claims Robert Jenrick

09:59 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

BBC host Laura Kuenssberg asked Robert Jenrick whether he wanted to be Tory leader if Rishi Sunak’s policy collapsed and he was ousted. He replied: “I’m not interested in that.”

The former immigration minister added: “I’m solely interested in this policy. I want the Conservative party to win the next general election. I want it to make good on its manifesto commitments. I think there’s a way to do that.”

Asked if the Tories can win the election, he said: “If we do not fix this challenge … then we will face the red-hot fury of the public.”

Migrant communities leading ‘parallel lives’, claims Robert Jenrick

09:56 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Robert Jenrick said “mass, uncontrolled migration” was not compatible with community cohesion across the UK.

Asked on the BBC about his push to crack down on legal migration, Mr Jenrick said: “I think there are communities in our country where people are living parallel lives.”

He added: “It’s an obvious observation that a million people coming into our country a year is immensely challenging to successfully integrate. I’ve seen that with the [pro-Palestine] marches through London, where I saw some people who simply did not share British values.”

The former immigration minister said Brexit was the “great reform” which gave the government the “levers” to bring down net migration levels. “We must use them.”

Asked when he “suddenly” become zealous about this issue, Mr Jenrick said: “Oh, I’ve always cared about this.”

Sunak is ‘not going to lose’ Rwanda Commons vote, says Labour frontbencher

09:43 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak is “not going to lose” this week’s Commons vote on his Rwanda legislation and “will get through quite comfortably”, a Labour frontbencher has claimed.

“Because why would a Tory MP signal such a lack of confidence in their prime minister?” asked Liz Kendall. “They don’t want an election because they’re worried they’ll lose their seat.

“He’ll get this through, comfortably.”

Tories have ‘caught up’ with Labour on immigration crackdown, claims Starmer frontbencher

09:39 , Andy Gregory

Shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has said she is glad the Tories have “caught up” with Labour’s immigration plans, after home secretary James Cleverly outlined plans to raise the salary threshold for skilled workers to £38,000 this week.

Asked whether Labour would keep Tory plans to cut legal migration, Ms Kendall said: “I think the fundamental flaw with the government’s approach is they haven’t dealt with the key issue of skill shortages in this country.”

Pressed again on the question, the frontbencher added: “We have been calling for some while for the salary threshold to be increased, and to get rid of the 20 per cent [salary] discount they have had.”

Asked once again whether Labour would keep the measures, she said: “Seeing as we have been calling for the government to remove that discount and raise the salary threshold, I’m glad they have finally caught up.”

Sunak made choice to produce Rwanda bill which ‘doesn’t do the job’, says Robert Jenrick

09:33 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Robert Jenrick – who quit as immigration minister this week – has offered a scathing critique of the Rwanda bill, saying it “doesn’t do the job”.

He told BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. “I won’t be supporting this bill … I determined that we can persuade the government and colleagues in parliament that there is a better way.”

“I don’t believe this bill will work,” Mr Jenrick said. “I think a political choice was made to bring forward a bill which doesn’t do the job.”

The senior Tory added: “Absolutely everyone who comes across in a small boat will put in a legal claim.”

“The test for this is not, can you get one or two symbolic flights off before the next election with a handful of illegal migrants on them, it’s can you create a strong deterrent that is sustainable and stops the boats.”

Labour frontbencher dodges question on whether party would ask Rwanda to return £290m

09:31 , Andy Gregory

Shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has repeatedly dodged questions on whether Labour would ask Rwanda to return the £290m spent by the Tories on its ailing asylum policy.

Ms Kendall told Sky News: “We want to use the money spent on Rwanda to have a different plan that actually works. The problem is we’ve seen the government spend months and months on a plan going round and round in circles.

She added: “We need to end these small boat crossings because it’s extremely bad for national security as well as the lives lost, and we want to spend that on having a new elite cross-border force to really tackle the criminal gangs that are driving this, and also to get rid of the asylum backlog, which is ending up costing £8m a day in hotel fees alone.

“So we have an alternative plan for the future.”

Pressed again on whether Labour would ask for the money back, Ms Kendall said: “I want to see that money spent on tackling the root causes of the problem.”

Sunak will stave off Commons defeat over Rwanda bill, insists David Davis

09:25 , Andy Gregory

Former Brexit secretary David Davis has predicted that Rishi Sunak will manage to stave off a destabilising Commons defeat over his Rwanda legislation next week.

Asked by Sky News what sort of number of MPs could rebel, he said: “Quite small, I think. You mention Braverman – people always overestimate her support. Look back at the leadership voting numbers. And my impression from talking to colleagues is the vast majority want to get on with this.

“The newspapers have been saying you only need 29 to vote against – well, 29’s quite a big number actually when it comes to voting against a major piece of government legislation.

“So I think it will get through next week, I think there will be some arguments about amendments, but unless the government agrees them I don’t think even the amendments will go through.”

Tory grandee warns fellow MPs against using Rwanda strife for their own ends

09:21 , Andy Gregory

Former Brexit secretary David Davis has criticised fellow Tories “manouevering for [their] future leadership position” and warned that it will “be to their long-term disadvantage”.

Insisting that the Tory grassroots are frustrated with constant sniping at Rishi Sunak, he told Sky News: “Politics is about argument, it’s about debate, it’s about dispute.

But what it shouldn’t be about is manouvering for your future leadership position, or whatever it might be that’s driving some of these things. I don’t mind at all Bill Cash saying ‘I don’t think this is right for X or Y, and can we modify A and B to make it work’.

“And we can have that debate, and that’s how parliament works ... but I think in grand terms the public wants us to make a decision on this and get it resolved.”

Asked who is “on manouevres”, the Tory grandee said: “I’m not going to name them. All of my colleagues know who they are – and it will be to their long-term disadvantage.

“I’ve seen this before. People who trade off their own future against the future of the party always lose.”

David Davis calls Sunak’s bill ‘about the toughest immigration legislation I’ve ever seen'

09:10 , Andy Gregory

Former Brexit secretary David Davis has said he will vote for Rishi Sunak’s emergency Rwanda Bill, calling it “about the toughest immigration legislation I’ve ever seen”.

He added: “I actually think the prime minister’s right that it can’t go any further”, in what could be interpreted as a riposte to Suella Braverman’s criticism of Rishi Sunak’s “rather strange claim” that Rwanda could “collapse” the deal if it does not comply with international law.

Sunak ‘not contemplating’ early election if Rwanda bill fails, says Gove

09:10 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Cabinet minister Michael Gove has insisted that Rishi Sunak’s government is “not contemplating” holding a general election if the Rwanda bill is voted down.

Asked on Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Mr Gove said: “No, we’re not contemplating that.”

The levelling up secretary added: “Because I’m confident that when people look at the legislation and have a chance to reflect they will recognise this is a tough but also proportionate measure. And of course, we will listen to opinion within the House of Commons.”

Tory right’s views will be taken ‘seriously’, says Gove

09:06 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Michael Gove defended the Rwanda legislation as “tough and robust” – but claimed the government would listen to the views of Sir Bill Cash and others on the Tory right.

Asked about the damning verdict of Sir Bill – leading the “star chamber” – Mr Gove said the government will “take seriously the views of colleagues” who believe it doesn’t go far enough.

He also denied the Rwanda plan was pointless. Mr Gove told Sky News said: “All of the reasons that we used in the past [to block flights] are dealt with [in the bill].” He added: “It’s not the only step we’re taking – but it has a powerful deterrent effect”.

David Cameron ‘spoke to star chamber chair for 45 minutes’ in bid to fend off Rwanda rebels

08:56 , Andy Gregory

Foreign secretary David Cameron is helping in the battle to keep Tory MPs on side ahead of a crucial vote in parliament on Tuesday, a report suggests.

Lord Cameron, and several other ministers, are said to have been helping in the No 10 push to persuade Tory rebels to back the bill.

The new foreign secretary spoke to Sir Bill Cash – chair of the so-called “star chamber” of legal examination of the Bill – for 45 minutes on Friday afternoon, according to the Sunday Times.

Lord Cameron also spoke to Sir Bill on immigration, although a source close to the latter suggested the main reason for their call was because the foreign secretary is due to appear before the European scrutiny committee, which Sir Bill chairs, the paper reported.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more details:

Tory right rejects Rwanda plan and David Cameron sent to fend off rebels

Gove rejects suggestion Rwanda will only take 200 asylum-seekers

08:51 , Andy Gregory

Pressed on why the government is spending so much energy on the Rwanda scheme when it is expected to only see around 200 asylum-seekers sent to the one facility there, Michael Gove told Sky News: “It’s not the only step we’re taking.”

He added: “This scheme is uncapped – there is no upper limit on the number of people we can send to Rwanda”, to which host Trevor Phillips interjected: “Well there is. The limit is what Rwanda says they can take on is 200.”

Mr Gove insisted however that Rwanda has made clear there is no cap, claiming that “there is a powerful deterrent effect” for the thousands of people risking their lives in the Channel to reach Britain.

Rwanda plan is legally ‘sound’ and ‘pretty tough actually’, insists Gove

08:47 , Andy Gregory

Asked whether he was concerned by the so-called Tory “star chamber” verdict on Rwanda, Michael Gove cited former Supreme Court justice Lord Sumption in claiming that “this is tough legislation, probably the toughest anti-immigration legislation ever introduced”.

Insisting he was not “boasting”, the Tory minister told Sky News: “We’ve already seen with a very similar arrangement we entered into with Albania that the overwhelming majority of people who came here from Albania have been returned.

“It’s pretty tough actually, if you look at what we’re saying – the particular cases that the Supreme Court identified in the past as reasons not to deport people, all of them are dealt with.

“So of course we’ll look at what any eminent colleague or lawyer says, but ... they’re pretty clear that this law is sound.”

Gove seeks to blame Ukraine and Hong Kong for record immigration

08:37 , Andy Gregory

Michael Gove has been shown a montage of Conservative ministers saying for the past 13 years that their successive governments will reduce immigration.

The Tory MP told Sky News that there are several exceptional factors in recent years, such as the war in Ukraine and those fleeing persecution in Hong Kong, adding that “it is only because we’re outside the European Union” that the UK can take tougher action.

Host Trevor Phillips noted that the figures are still north of 500,000 even without those factors.

Sunak again questions ‘rather strange claim’ Rwanda could ‘collapse’ deal

07:47 , Andy Gregory

Suella Braverman has sought to cast doubt on Rishi Sunak’s “rather strange claim” that if his emergency legislation had gone further the Rwandan government would have “collapsed” the deal.

“I’ve been to Rwanda several times and I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. It never once raised any kind of concerns like this,” Ms Braverman told The Telegraph,

It follows the extraordinary exchange on the Today programme earlier this week, in which Ms Braverman was repeatedly asked whether Mr Sunak was “lying” when he claimed the Rwandan government had threatened to pull out of the deal if Britain breached international treaties.

“I don’t know [whether he is lying],” she eventually said, before going on to deny spreading “poison” in the same interview.

The Rwandan goverment itself has said this week it could pull out of the deal if it breaks international law, and a Downing Street source said at the time: “Conservatives need to work within reality. What she wants isn’t available, the Rwandans have said no.”

Echoing recently departed immigration minister Robert Jenrick, she also warned on Sunday that the government’s past experience showed that the clause in Mr Sunak’s new Bill allowing legal challenges by individual migrants will add “a minimum of six months” to the wait for deportation flights to take off.

Full report: Fresh Rwanda blow for Sunak as Tory lawyers brand plans not fit for purpose

07:28 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak has been dealt the fresh blow of a legal assessment for the Tory right concluding his Rwanda legislation is not fit for purpose, as the Prime Minister urged Labour not to oppose his plans.

Sir Bill Cash, who has chaired a legal examination being waited on by many in the party, has signalled that the Bill is not “sufficiently watertight” despite Mr Sunak hoping it will revive his flagship asylum plan.

Battling to keep his own Tory MPs on side, the Prime Minister urged Sir Keir Starmer to “rise above political games” and “act in the national interest” by supporting the emergency Bill.

But Conservatives from both the right and the left of the party are considering whether to oppose it in a crunch vote on Tuesday, with neither camp totally satisfied by the offering.

Labour will whip to vote against the Bill, meaning a rebellion by just 28 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat for the Government.

Fresh Rwanda blow for Sunak as Tory lawyers brand plans not fit for purpose

Sunak urges Tories to ‘unite or die’ over Rwanda scheme

07:00 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak has urged mutinous Tory MPs to “unite or die” ahead of a key Commons vote on his controversial bid to save his party’s ailing plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda.

The prime minister’s call to the 1922 Committee this week, after publishing his emergence Rwanda legislation, echoed his words in the first days of his premiership after taking over from Liz Truss, according to The Times.

There are claims that nearly two-dozen MPs have submitted no confidence letters, and in an olive branch to rebels, Mr Sunak is said to be “happy to have conversations” about his Rwanda plan’s future, providing the Bill – disliked by both Tory moderates and hardliners – passes through the Commons.

Sunak ‘did not think highly of Rwanda policy’ while chancellor

06:00 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak and his team at the Treasury did not think highly of the Rwanda policy when it initially crossed the then-chancellor’s desk in spring 2022, according to a report.

Mr Sunak and his colleagues privately raised concerns with Boris Johnson’s Downing Street and Cabinet ministers about whether the Rwanda scheme would work and would provide value for money, six people involved in the discussions told the outlet.

While chancellor, he is also claimed have pushed for more foreign graduates to be allowed to stay post-study, for migrant workers to be able to bring dependents, and for a lower salary threshold to enable more foreign workers, all in pursuit of economic growth, the six people reportedly said – running in stark contrast to the new policies outlined by his government this week.

Braverman questions Sunak’s claim pushing bill further would have seen deal ‘collapse’

05:00 , Athena Stavrou

Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman has questioned Rishi Sunak’s “rather strange claim” that going further on the Rwanda bill would have caused the £290 million deal to “collapse”.

She told the Sunday Telegraph: “I’ve been to Rwanda several times and I have spoken to the Rwandan government a lot. It never once raised any kind of concerns like this.”

Mrs Braverman echoed Robert Jenrick, who quit as immigration minister over the legislation, by raising concerns that it leaves ignoring temporary Rule 39 injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights which blocked last year’s flight to the Government.

“I know that our Attorney General has advised that to ignore a Rule 39 injunction would be a breach of international law, so therefore as it stands Rule 39s will block flights,” Mrs Braverman told the newspaper.

Sunak urges Starmer to ‘rise above’ and support Rwanda bill

04:00 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak has urged Sir Keir Starmer to “rise above political games” and “act in the national interest” by supporting his Rwanda bill.

The prime minister is currently battling to keep his own Tory MPs on side, with Conservatives from both the right and the left of the party considering opposing the bill on Tuesday.

Labour will whip to vote against the Bill, meaning a rebellion by just 28 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat for the Government.

Mr Starmer has stepped up his attacks and will use a speech to accuse the Tories of being unable to govern while their warring factions are “fighting like rats in a sack”.

But Mr Sunak insisted he will take a “significant step” towards his promise to the voters that he will “stop the boats”, which he said the public cares deeply about.

Starmer accuses Tories of ‘fighting like rats in a sack’ as Sunak faces Rwanda rebellion

03:00 , Athena Stavrou

Keir Starmer will warn that Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives can no longer govern the county because warring camps are lost “fighting like rats in a sack”.

The Labour leader will launch a new appeal to voters this week by promising he “won’t let the Tories take the country down with them”.

Sir Keir will use a speech on Tuesday to vow that a united Labour has “fundamentally changed” and is now ready to rule Britain.

You can read the report in full below:

Starmer says Tories are ‘fighting like rats in sack’ as Sunak faces Rwanda rebellion

Petition launched to stop Boris Johnson wearing Grimsby football hat as he’s bringing town into ‘disrepute’

02:00 , Athena Stavrou

An online petition has been launched to stop Boris Johnson from wearing a woolly Grimsby Town hat.

The former prime minister was seen wearing the “GTFC” football hat while leaving the Covid inquiry on Thursday.

Campaign organiser John Dale wrote that Mr Johnson was “using the town to add lustre and glamour” to his life since falling from power.

He wrote: “Disgraced ex-prime minister Boris Johnson attended the Covid inquiry wearing a woolly hat bearing the letters GTFC. It is the hat worn by fans of the highly-respected Grimsby Town Football Club.”

“Johnson has no formal connection to the club. He has never lived in Grimsby. He is using the town to add lustre and glamour to his own shattered life.

As of Saturday afternoon, the petition had reached over 800 signatures.

The hat is reported to be one of two given to Mr Johnson by Great Grimsby’s Tory MP, Lia Nici, an avid supporter of the former prime minister.

Labour demands travel bans for perpetrators of settler violence in West Bank

01:00 , Athena Stavrou

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy has demanded that ministers impose travel bans on Israelis responsible for settler violence in the West Bank .

He urged the Government to provide greater assistance to humanitarian organisations supporting Palestinians while criticising the “intolerable” death toll in Gaza.

In a hardening of Labour’s tone, he argued in an article for the Observer that “too often, Israeli authorities have turned a blind eye to settler violence”.

He also criticised two hardline Israeli ministers for their “totally unacceptable” support for settlers while promoting “dangerous and extreme rhetoric about Palestinians”.

“Britain should join with key partners like the US in pressuring Israel to act on settler violence,” he wrote.

“The UK Government must impose these travel bans now, and provide greater assistance to humanitarian organisations that support Palestinians at risk of forcible transfer.

“It is imperative that these forcibly displaced Palestinians be supported in returning safely and freely to their homes.”

Starmer says Labour are ready to rule

Saturday 9 December 2023 23:59 , Athena Stavrou

Sir Keir Starmer is set to vow his “fundamentally changed” party is ready to rule in an upcoming speech on Tuesday.

The Labour leader will claim that it is Labour that “shares Britain’s values” as Rishi Sunak faces a possible rebellion from Tories on his embattled Rwanda policy to curb small boat crossings.

“It is time to come together, to turn the page on this miserable chapter of decline, and walk towards a decade of national renewal,” he is set to say.

“I have dragged this Labour Party back to service, and I will do the same to British politics. I won’t let the Tories drag our country down with them. We cannot and will not let them kick the hope out of our future.”

The speech is being arranged to coincide with the four-year anniversary of the general election in which Boris Johnson’s Conservatives crushed Labour under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

But Sir Keir says his party is now “ready to serve” after a resurgence in which they are riding around 20 percentage points above the Tories in the polls

Rwanda bill not deemed ‘sufficiently watertight’, top lawyer says

Saturday 9 December 2023 22:51 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda policy has been dealt a fresh blow after a legal assessment for the Tory right concluded his legislation is not fit for purpose.

The PM has been awaiting the verdict from a so-called “star chamber” of lawyers carrying out an examination for the European Research Group of Tory MPs.

While the official conclusion is expected on Monday, Sir Bill Cash, who has chaired a legal examination has signalled that the bill is not “sufficiently watertight”.

The veteran Tory wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that they had been considering whether the “wording is sufficiently watertight to meet the Government’s policy objectives”.

“At present it does not,” he said. “Our report, I hope, will be helpful to the Government in deciding whether the Bill in its current form is fit for purpose or will require further amendment, even by the Government itself.”

Tories cannot govern while ‘fighting like rats in a sack’, says Keir Starmer

Saturday 9 December 2023 22:31 , Athena Stavrou

Sir Keir Starmer is set to say the Conservatives cannot govern while they are “fighting like rats in a sack” in a speech on Tuesday.

Factions in the Tory party are fighting over Rishi Sunak’s deportation bill that will see asylum seekers sent to Rwanda.

Conservatives on the right are awaiting the verdict of lawyers before deciding whether to oppose the Prime Minister’s emergency legislation.

The faction is urging the PM to override the European Conventions on Human Rights to bring the policy to fruition.

But more moderate Tories are weighing up whether they can support the Bill amid concerns about compelling courts to find Rwanda is a “safe” country to send asylum seekers.

In a speech on the same day as the scheduled vote, Sir Keir is expected to say: “While they’re all swanning around self-importantly, in their factions and their ‘star chambers’, fighting like rats in a sack, there’s a country out here that isn’t being governed.”

MPs who lose general elections to get taxpayer-funded help finding jobs

Saturday 9 December 2023 22:00 , Athena Stavrou

The MPs who are defeated at the next year’s general election will get taxpayer-funded support to find a new job.

A Commons spokesperson confirmed to The Independent the programme was “due to be in place” in time for the next election.

Officials are looking to pay a recruitment firm to help with CV writing and job coaching, the BBC first reported.

A cross-party group recommended that MPs should get medals and more generous redundancy payments in help them after life in parliament.

For MPs defeated at the 2019 election, the average loss-of-office payment was £5,250 – equivalent to just under one month of their £84,000 salary.

While the idea of medals and bigger pay-outs is not thought to be on the table, a document obtained by the BBC shows the Commons authorities do want to place in place a new “budget” for career training support.

The scheme could see those losing their seats given access to “on-demand” career coaches and other “networking opportunities”.

Election guru warns Sunak against calling an election next year

Saturday 9 December 2023 21:00 , Athena Stavrou

Mr Sunak was advised against the idea of calling a snap general election early next year if his bill gets stuck in parliament – amid warnings from election experts that it would backfire and destroy the Tories slim hopes of holding onto power.

Senior Tory Robert Hayward also compared the row with Theresa May’s Brexit woes between 2016 and 2019.

The election guru told The Independent: “One-issue elections don’t work. Theresa May thought she was onto a winner with that on Brexit in 2017, and the whole thing fell apart.”

The top peer warned right-wing rebels against a push against Mr Sunak’s leadership: “You’d have to be pretty unaware to believe you could change the leader again and not incur the wrath of the public.”

Tory ministers urge MPs not to revolt on Rwanda vote

Saturday 9 December 2023 20:00 , Sam Rkaina

Top Tory ministers and members have urged MPs not to revolt on the upcoming commons vote for Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plans.

Ministers have been calling round MPs in a desperate bid to get backing for the first hurdle on Tuesday. Tory deputy chairman Rachel Maclean has suggested the showdown will amount to a vote of confidence in the government.

Dominic Raab, former justice secretary, said MPs “should back the bill, rather than let the best be the enemy of the good” – urging rebels to “tighten up” the legislation at the committee stage rather than vote it down on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged Tory MPs to pass a bill that “get those flights off to Rwanda” – stopping short of an endorsement for it in its current form.

The ex-Tory leader told The Telegraph: “The reality is that we are in a more febrile state than under John Major.”

Bill only has 50% chance of going through, legal assessment finds

Saturday 9 December 2023 19:00 , Athena Stavrou

Fresh headaches have sprung for Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill, as it emerged that an official legal assessment for the government gives the bill only a “50 per cent at best” chance of getting flights off the ground.

Cabinet minister Victoria Prentis, the attorney general, has been told that the bill leaves a significant risk of the European Court blocking flights, The Times first reported.

The official advice – giving the plan only a 50-50 chance of success from the government’s legal department was said to have been signed off by top lawyer Sir James Eadie.

One source backed up the report, while another sought to argue the advice was just one of the opinions the government had sought. Not disputing the advice, a government official said: “We do not comment on or share government legal advice and it would be very wrong for anyone recently departing government to do so.”

Will Rishi Sunak be convinced to leave the European Convention on Human Rights?

Saturday 9 December 2023 18:05 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak is facing pressure from the right-wing of the Tory party to leave the constraints of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The prime minister has come under fire ahead of a key Commons vote to save his plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda.

Robert Jenrick – who quit as immigration minister this week – raised the stakes by accusing Mr Sunak of failing to keep his word and calling for Britain to quit treaties such as the ECHR.

In a stinging op-ed, Mr Jenrick argued that it was now time for the UK to “extricate” itself from “international frameworks” – and warning the Tories of the “red-hot fury” of voters.

Sunak faces ‘Brexit-like’ struggle to get Rwanda bill done

Saturday 9 December 2023 17:03 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak has been warned he faces an uphill struggle to get his Rwanda bill through parliament reminiscent of Theresa’s fight with a bitter-divided Conservative party over Brexit.

No 10 is sticking its guns by refusing to make any major changes – but right-wing Tory MPs are urging the PM to “sit down and listen” to demands to toughen the bill or face a potential leadership challenge.

Dozens of MPs on the right want Mr Sunak to go further in disapplying the ECHR, but a government source said the bill was “as tough as it can be within the limits of international law”.

Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s former chief of staff at No 10, told Times Radio that it feels “all a bit Brexit”. He added: “You’ve got these two wings of the party and it’s very difficult to see where the landing zone is.”

Read the full story from Adam Forrest below:

Sunak faces ‘Brexit-like’ struggle to get Rwanda bill done

Sunak must be investigated for ‘hushed-up’ £100m payment to Rwanda, Lib Dems say

Saturday 9 December 2023 15:22 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak must be investigated over whether he breached the ministerial code by failing to declare a £100 million payment to Rwanda, the Liberal Democrats have argued.

The Prime Minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, was urged to look into the failure to declare the latest payment under the asylum policy for eight months.

The payment – sent to Kigali in April on top of the £140 million already paid – was only revealed in a letter to MPs sent by the Home Office’s top civil servant, Sir Matthew Rycroft, on Thursday.

Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said it is “outrageous” that the public was “kept in the dark about the true costs of the Rwanda deal for eight months”.

“The public deserves transparency, not hushed-up backroom dealings. We need an urgent inquiry to get to the bottom of this,” she said.

Sunak ‘did not think highly of Rwanda policy’ while chancellor

Saturday 9 December 2023 14:57 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak and his team at the Treasury did not think highly of the Rwanda policy when it initially crossed the then-chancellor’s desk in spring 2022, according to a report.

Mr Sunak and his colleagues privately raised concerns with Boris Johnson’s Downing Street and Cabinet ministers about whether the Rwanda scheme would work and would provide value for money, six people involved in the discussions told the outlet.

While chancellor, he is also claimed have pushed for more foreign graduates to be allowed to stay post-study, for migrant workers to be able to bring dependents, and for a lower salary threshold to enable more foreign workers, all in pursuit of economic growth, the six people reportedly said – running in stark contrast to the new policies outlined by his government this week.

Ex-minister backs Jenrick’s hardline immigration article

Saturday 9 December 2023 14:43 , Andy Gregory

Tory former minister Simon Clarke, who weeks ago called for Rishi Sunak to call a snap election if the Lords blocks his emergency Rwanda legislation – has thrown his backing behind Robert Jenrick’s op-ed in the Telegraph today.

The Truss-era communities secretary called for “nothing less than a paradigm shift”, as he appeared to back Mr Jenrick’s calls for the UK to abandon the European Convention on Human Rights.

Rishi Sunak set to be grilled on lockdown doubts at Covid inquiry

Saturday 9 December 2023 14:04 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Rishi Sunak is set to be grilled about his controversial Eat Out to Help scheme and his doubts about lockdown curbs when he appears at the Covid inquiry on Monday.

The PM – fighting to save his premiership after failing to appease Tory MPs with his Rwanda legislation – will come under pressure to explain his actions as chancellor during the pandemic.

Mr Sunak is expected to be questioned about his previous claims that scientific advisers were handed too much power, and his views on the damage done by lockdowns.

In an interview during the Tory leadership contest last August, the former chancellor said the “problem” had been: “If you empower all these independent people you’re screwed.”

Mr Sunak also told The Spectator that he “wasn’t allowed to talk about the trade-offs” of Covid lockdowns – including its impact on the economy, schools and NHS waiting lists.

Rishi Sunak set to be grilled on lockdown doubts at Covid inquiry

Sunak facing ‘Brexit-style’ struggle like Theresa May, says ex-No 10 official

Saturday 9 December 2023 13:40 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s former chief of staff at No 10, has said the uphill battle faced by Rishi Sunak is similar to the parliamentary Brexit wars while brought down his former boss.

“It feels very late 2018, early 2019,” Lord Barwell told The Telegraph – who suggested it was difficult to see how right-wingers and moderates could be reconciled, even if the bill passes the first reading stage on Tuesday.

“It’s all a bit Brexit isn’t it?” The Tory peer said on Times Radio. He added: “It feels like the party is back in that ungovernable space, that unleadable space. You’ve got these two wings of the party and it’s very difficult to see where the landing zone is.”

Mr Sunak has been warned that he is facing a “Brexit-style” legislative campaign by a group of up to 30 hardliners who will keep pushing for more.

“The gang of 30 are using this legislation as a Trojan horse to leave the ECHR and to pick a fight and attack Rishi,” one Tory MP told the i newspaper.

Iain Duncan Smith urges Tory MPs to pass the bill that gets ‘flights off to Rwanda’

Saturday 9 December 2023 13:18 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has urged Tory MPs to pass a bill that “get those flights off to Rwanda” – which stops short of an endorsement for Rishi Sunak’s legislation in its current form.

The former Tory leader told The Telegraph: “The reality is that we are in a more febrile state than under [Sir] John Major. John Major took us to the election.”

“We’ll have had three prime ministers in this period, which is unprecedented really. That means this infighting will carry on, because it’s not settled.

A hardliner on immigration, Sir Ian added: “The one way out of this, both electorally and internally, is that we decide collectively that getting those flights off to Rwanda is critical and we pass a law to achieve that.”

‘Back the bill’, Dominic Raab tells Tory rebels

Saturday 9 December 2023 13:01 , Adam Forrest, Political Correspondent

Dominic Raab has said Conservatives MPs “should back the [Rwanda] bill, rather than let the best be the enemy of the good”.

Writing for The Telegraph, the former justice secretary urging rebels to “tighten up” the legislation at committee stage rather than vote it down on Tuesday.

Raab said he accepted that the bill “leaves open the possibility that the individual circumstances of a case could render a migrant at particular risk” – but hoped the Supreme Court would need “truly exceptional circumstances to bar removal”.

The former deputy PM said he was confident the legislation “prevents the UK courts from relying on interim measures from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg as grounds for blocking removal”.

Nigel Farage will find it ‘very hard to resist’ political comeback, says ally

Saturday 9 December 2023 12:43 , Andy Gregory

Nigel Farage could soon stage a return to frontline politics by playing a leading role for the Conservatives’ right-wing rivals Reform UK, the party’s leader has said.

Richard Tice said the star of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! would find it “very hard to resist” a big comeback ahead of the next year’s general election.

Some senior Tories have suggested they would like to see Mr Farage join the Tories – with one MP suggesting he could be given a peerage and made home secretary. However, Mr Tice suggested Mr Farage was keen to take up a prominent role for Reform UK once again, the party he co-founded from the ashes of the Brexit Party.

“He needs to make the judgment – does he want to come back full time into politics?” the Reform leader told The Telegraph.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest reports:

Nigel Farage will find it ‘very hard to resist’ political comeback, says ally

Braverman praises Jenrick for article warning Rwanda vote won’t work

Saturday 9 December 2023 11:59 , Andy Gregory

Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman has praised Robert Jenrick – who this week voluntarily followed her out of the door of the Home Office – for “putting principle before career”, as she shared his Telegraph op-ed warning that Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda legislation is doomed to fail.

“He knows the detail. It is very concerning that he can’t defend the Bill,” Ms Braverman said, in a blow to Mr Sunak as he hopes to persuade MPs to back him in Tuesday’s vote.

She added: “The public are relying on us to stop the boats. What do we say to them when we pass another law that fails? Time is running out.”

General election would not be single-issue ballot on immigration, says ex-Tory minister

Saturday 9 December 2023 11:42 , Andy Gregory

Former Tory minister David Lidington has rejected a suggestion that Rishi Sunak should call an early general election if he fails to pass his Rwanda legislation through parliament and seek to make it a single-issue vote on immigration.

“There’s a case both for & against an early GE but (whatever PM wanted) can’t see it being a single issue campaign. That’s what Ted Heath discovered in Feb 1974,” he tweeted, referring to the former Tory leader’s decision to call an election seeking to wrest power away from unions.

And as Matt Chorley of Times Radio notes, the Tories have been polling lower than Labour on immigration since last September, according to YouGov’s tracker.

Sunak’s ethics adviser urged to probe whether PM ‘broke ministerial code’ over Rwanda payment

Saturday 9 December 2023 11:10 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak must be investigated over whether he breached the ministerial code by failing to declare a £100m payment to Rwanda, the Liberal Democrats have urged his ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus.

The payment – sent to Kigali in April on top of the £140m already paid – was only revealed eight months later in a letter to MPs sent by the Home Office’s top civil servant, Sir Matthew Rycroft, on Thursday.

Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine urged Mr Magnus to investigate what appeared to be a “clear breach” of the ministerial code, calling it “outrageous” that the public was “kept in the dark about the true costs of the Rwanda deal for eight months”.

“The public deserves transparency, not hushed-up backroom dealings. We need an urgent inquiry to get to the bottom of this,” she said.

While Sir Laurie can privately raise matters that could have been breaches of the rules, he cannot launch an investigation without approval from the prime minister.

ICYMI: Britain facing surge of salmonella cases because of Brexit, union warns

Saturday 9 December 2023 10:52 , Andy Gregory

Britain is facing a surge in salmonella cases due to a lack of post-Brexit quality checks on food, a union has warned.

The National Farmers Union told The Independent that the UK was seeing recurring cases of salmonella because meat, poultry and eggs have not been checked properly since leaving the EU.

It comes as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it was investigating a recent rise in cases of salmonella food poisoning linked to poultry from Poland.

“A number of the cases have involved the consumption of eggs produced in Poland and used in meals in restaurants and cafes,” said Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA.

My colleague Alexander Butler has the full report:

Britain facing surge of salmonella cases because of Brexit, union warns

Keir Starmer insists he’s no Thatcher ‘fan boy’ and says she did terrible things

Saturday 9 December 2023 10:38 , Adam Forrest – political correspondent

Sir Keir Starmer has attempted to calm the storm of criticism over his comments about Margaret Thatcher by telling a Scottish audience that she did “terrible things”.

The Labour leader sought to draw a line under the row after he appeared to praise the former Tory prime minister and her moves to boost Britain’s “entrepreneurialism”.

On a visit to Scotland on Friday, Sir Keir insisted he is no fan of Ms Thatcher and said that he “profoundly disagrees” with some of her actions.

He said she did “huge damage” to communities across the UK – particularly in Scotland – only days after listing her as among former leaders who delivered “meaningful change”.

Keir Starmer insists he’s no Thatcher ‘fan boy’

Kemi Badenoch pens ‘leadership campaign’ for The Sun

Saturday 9 December 2023 10:19 , Andy Gregory

Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch has written an opinion piece claiming that Brexit has “paid dividends” and looking ahead to the next general election, in what The Independent chief political commentator John Rentoul suggests amounts to the minister’s “leadership campaign in The Sun”.

As The Times claims Ms Badenoch is among potential Tory leadership hopefuls “on manouevres and sounding people out” in the event that Mr Sunak’s premiership collapses, she writes: “Brexit was a vote of confidence by the British people in our country.

“A conviction that we would be better off as masters of our own fate. That conviction has paid dividends and it will keep doing so because I am determined to work day in and day out to reap the benefits of Brexit.

The greatest threat to Brexit Britain’s prosperity booming in the second half of the 2020s is Sir Keir Starmer. A man who, for reasons unknown, clearly yearns for us to blindly copy and paste whatever Brussels does, and whose Shadow Foreign Secretary cannot even rule out rejoining the EU.

“But I for one am confident the British people will act as wisely in 2024 as they did in 2016.”

Robert Jenrick insists Sunak’s asylum plan will fail

Saturday 9 December 2023 10:03 , Andy Gregory

Senior Tory Robert Jenrick – who quit as immigration minister over Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda legislation – has insisted it will fail and accused the PM of failing to keep his word “to do whatever it takes” to “stop the boats”.

In his op-ed for The Telegraph on Saturday, Mr Jenrick said “some of the country’s finest legal minds” have determined that migrants will be able to lodge legal appeals and that they could be “taken off flights in considerable number”.

The ally of sacked home secretary Suella Braverman added: “The idea, therefore, that this bill will guarantee all those arriving are detained and swiftly removed is for the birds.”

Mr Jenrick also said that the Tories will be treated to “red-hot fury at the ballot box” unless they bring down current levels of legal immigration – which he argued makes integration into UK life “impossible”.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more in this report:

Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan has only ‘50% chance of success’, say government lawyers

Jenrick argues against ECHR in op-ed showing his drift from Tory centrist to hardliner

Saturday 9 December 2023 09:20 , Andy Gregory

Robert Jenrick, the formerly moderate ally of Rishi Sunak who resigned as immigration minister this week, has written a lengthy piece in the Daily Telegraph warning that the PM’s Rwanda legislation will fail and claiming that the “public’s patience has already snapped” on immigration.

Suggesting a significant drift to the right during his time in office, Mr Jenrick appears to argue in favour of abandoning the European Convention of Human Rights and international asylum law.

He wrote: “Controlling our borders would, of course, be far more straightforward if we extricated ourselves from the complex web of international frameworks that have taken on near mythical status within Government.

“These treaties were designed for a different world and have since been stretched beyond their intention. It will only become painfully more apparent that these outdated treaties cannot be renegotiated any time soon, so they must give way.”

In more inflammatory rhetoric, he concluded: “There is no better example of the failed Westminster consensus over the last 30 years than the historically unprecedented levels of immigration that have been forced on voters against their wish.

“As we are seeing in election after election across Europe, immigration will be a defining issue of 21st century politics. The public’s patience has already snapped. Centre-Right parties across Europe have a choice: begin to deliver on the mainstream concerns of ordinary people when it comes to immigration, or face their red-hot fury at the ballot box.”

Jenrick’s resignation a ‘lightning rod’ for Sunak’s Rwanda critics

Saturday 9 December 2023 08:39 , Andy Gregory

The resignation of Rishi Sunak’s former ally Robert Jenrick as immigration minister has acted as a “lightning rod” to other Tory MPs with concerns about the Rwanda policy, it has been suggested.

“He knows the absolute shambles of the system and if he has concerns about the bill, people are going to sit up and take notice,” one former colleague told The Times. However, others suspect Mr Jenrick’s resignation may have more to do with Mr Sunak’s failure to promote him to Cabinet.

Either way, the paper reported claims that Mr Sunak is “very, very down” and not his “usual Tiggerish self” following Mr Jenrick’s resignation – a suggestion one No 10 source rejected, however, insisting the PM remained upbeat and determined to “bash through” opposition.

Sunak urges Tories to ‘unite or die’ over Rwanda scheme

Saturday 9 December 2023 08:10 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak has urged mutinous Tory MPs to “unite or die” ahead of a key Commons vote on his controversial bid to save his party’s ailing plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda.

The prime minister’s call to the 1922 Committee this week, after publishing his emergence Rwanda legislation, echoed his words in the first days of his premiership after taking over from Liz Truss, according to The Times.

Rwanda legislation given ‘50% at best’ chance of success

Saturday 9 December 2023 07:02 , Adam Withnall

Rishi Sunak’s emergency Rwanda legislation has been given only a “50 per cent at best” chance of successfully getting removal flights off next year in an official legal assessment for the government.

Attorney general Victoria Prentis has been told that the legislation leaves a significant risk of the European Court of Human Rights blocking planes to Kigali, the Times first reported.

The assessment is likely to toughen the prime minister’s battle to get his divided Tory MPs to support his new Bill that he hopes will revive the stalled £290 million policy.

Read more:

Sunak’s Rwanda legislation given ‘50% at best’ chance of success

Taxpayers foot £300k energy bill for MPs’ second homes

Saturday 9 December 2023 07:00 , Jane Dalton

Reminder: MPs have charged taxpayers almost £300,000 for energy bills and other utilities at their second homes over the past year, a new analysis by The Independent found:

Taxpayers foot £300k energy bill for MPs’ second homes

Poll gives Labour huge lead

Saturday 9 December 2023 06:00 , Jane Dalton

Labour are up one point and the Conservatives are down three, according to the latest polling, giving Labour a 20-point lead:

Britain facing surge of salmonella cases because of Brexit, union warns

Saturday 9 December 2023 05:00 , Jane Dalton

In case you missed it: Britain is facing a surge in salmonella cases due to a lack of post-Brexit quality checks on food, a union has warned:

Britain facing surge of salmonella cases because of Brexit, union warns

Cleverly begins U-turn on Brexit ban on schools ID cards

Saturday 9 December 2023 04:00 , Jane Dalton

One of the flagship Brexit policies on immigration – banning Europeans from travelling to the UK with only a national identity card – has begun to be quietly reversed:

Home Office U-turn on ID card ban for French school groups

Recap: Sunak rules out quitting ECHR as Braverman attacks

Saturday 9 December 2023 03:00 , Jane Dalton

Rishi Sunak ruled out a radical move to opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – despite a rebellion by the Tory right that threatens his ‘plan B’ Rwanda legislation:

Sunak rules out quitting ECHR as Braverman attacks PM

Analysis: The questions Rishi Sunak will face at the Covid inquiry

Saturday 9 December 2023 02:02 , Jane Dalton

Rishi Sunak and the Treasury put up some resistance to lockdown measures, on economic grounds, during Covid. On the other hand, they spent £800m on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Sean O’Grady looks at what the prime minister will be quizzed on:

The questions Rishi Sunak will face at the Covid inquiry

Bishops in Lords urged to ditch robes

Saturday 9 December 2023 01:00 , Jane Dalton

Bishops in the House of Lords have been encouraged to “modernise their attire and look more normal” by ditching their robes.

Conservative former cabinet minister Virginia Bottomley offered the advice to the Church of England bishops who sit in the upper chamber as peers took part in the annual debate led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone said: “I passionately want the Lords spiritual to remain but I do not think they enhance their prospects by looking like a Persil advertisement.

“I have spoken to virtually every bishop about removing the robes. You don’t need to wear them.

“So long as the bishop saying prayers — officiating – is wearing a robe, you can then keep the Robing Room, but all the others really should modernise their attire and look more normal, even though in their dog collars and very attractive shirts.”

Sunak to be grilled on Eat Out to Help on Monday

Saturday 9 December 2023 17:40 , Athena Stavrou

Rishi Sunak is set to be grilled about his controversial Eat Out to Help scheme and his doubts about lockdown curbs when he appears at the Covid inquiry on Monday.

Mr Sunak is expected to be questioned about his previous claims that scientific advisers were handed too much power, and his views on the damage done by lockdowns.

The Tory leader, Boris Johnson’s chancellor during the Covid crisis, is viewed as pushing against a second lockdown in the autumn of 2020, advocating for the opening up of the economy.

The former top No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings has accused Mr Sunak of believing it was time to “just let people die and that’s okay”.

Half voters don’t think Rwanda plan is value for money

Saturday 9 December 2023 00:01 , Jane Dalton

Voters are sceptical about whether the government’s Rwanda migrants plan represents good value for money, a poll shows.

In a YouGov survey, nearly half of those questioned (49%) said it was not. Only one in five (20%) said it was, while the other 30% did not know.

Nearly two-thirds of Labour voters disagreed it was value for money, while only slightly more Tory voters said it was not value for money - 36% against 35% who thought it was.

Police investigate professor’s call to ‘blow up’ Jewish Labour meeting

Friday 8 December 2023 23:01 , Jane Dalton

Police are investigating a post by a retired university professor calling on someone to “blow up” a Jewish Labour Movement meeting:

Police investigate professor’s call to ‘blow up’ Jewish Labour meeting

Opinion: Sunak’s obsession with Rwanda has split his party – and reignited Brexit wars

Friday 8 December 2023 21:59 , Jane Dalton

Rishi Sunak has inadvertently reignited the Brexit wars: the leader who was supposed to provide stability has become like Theresa May, who could not bridge the gap between the Tories’ left and right flanks, writes Andrew Grice:

Sunak’s Rwanda plan has split his party – and, worse, reignited the Brexit wars

Sunak offers MPs olive branch to stave off rebellion

Friday 8 December 2023 21:00 , Jane Dalton

Rishi Sunak is extending an olive branch to disgruntled Tory MPs to stave off a rebellion over his Rwanda plan after the cost of the deportation scheme hit £290m:

Rishi Sunak extends olive branch to Tory MPs to stave off rebellion over Rwanda

Highlights of Boris Johnson’s Covid inquiry witness statement

Friday 8 December 2023 20:15 , Jane Dalton

Boris Johnson delivered two days of highly charged Covid testimony this week, ranging from the defiant to the damning to the downright absurd. This is what stood out:

The ten key takeaways from Boris Johnson’s UK Covid inquiry witness statement

Strike minimum service levels take effect

Friday 8 December 2023 19:20 , Jane Dalton

The first regulations aimed at ensuring minimum levels of service during strikes have come into force, the government has announced.

Ministers said the regulations would apply in the rail sector, border security and ambulance services.

For the railways, minimum service levels will mean that rail operators can aim to run 40% of their normal timetable during any strike.

For a strike affecting infrastructure services, certain key routes will also be able to stay open and for longer than is normally the case during strikes, said officials.

A Statutory Code of Practice has also come into force which sets out the “reasonable” steps trade unions should take to ensure their members comply with work notices.

Where minimum service level regulations are in place and strike action is called, employers can issue work notices to identify people who are “reasonably required to work” to ensure minimum service levels are met.

The law requires unions to ensure their members who are identified with a work notice comply, and if they fail to do this, they will lose legal protection from damages claims.

The government has raised the maximum damages that courts can award against a union for unlawful strike action. For the biggest unions, the maximum award has risen from £250,000 to £1 million.

Fund manager founded by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg to close after £2bn withdrawal

Friday 8 December 2023 18:50 , Jane Dalton

A fund manager co-founded by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is winding down after its largest client withdrew billions of pounds:

Fund manager founded by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg to close after client withdraws £2b

No fines for Tory lockdown party in parliament

Friday 8 December 2023 18:27 , Jane Dalton

The Metropolitan Police have closed their investigation into a lockdown birthday party in Parliament by the deputy speaker and issued no fines, they say:

No fines for Tory lockdown party in parliament, Met says

Sunak did not mislead MPs over cost of Rwanda scheme, No 10 says

Friday 8 December 2023 18:00 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak did not mislead MPs over the cost of his troubled Rwanda asylum scheme, Downing Street said, after it emerged the UK paid Kigali an extra £100 million.

The policy attracted fresh criticism when it was revealed the additional payment was made this year, while flights remained grounded amid a series of legal setbacks, on top of the £140 million previously paid out.

Sophie Wingate reports:

Sunak did not mislead MPs over cost of Rwanda scheme, No 10 says

ICYMI: Can Rishi Sunak rescue his Rwanda plan and will Labour really help him?

Friday 8 December 2023 17:00 , Matt Mathers

The prime minister is determined to push on with the policy despite right-wing resistance from within his own party and a hostile opposition, says Sean O’Grady.

Read Sean’s full piece here:

How is Rishi Sunak trying to rescue his Rwanda plan and will Labour really help him?

Immigration minister mocked for claiming there is ‘unity of purpose in parliament’

Friday 8 December 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

Tom Pursglove was mocked for claiming there is a “unity of purpose in parliament” on the Rwanda treaty, Rhys Jones reports.

The new immigration minister was speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today when he made the comments on Friday.

“I think there is a unity of purpose on the Conservative benches in parliament that we need to address this issue. The prime minister is showing a lot of leadership on this,” the MP told Amol Rajan.

“I’m genuinely interested in whether or not you’re being sarcastic. Did you just say that there’s a unity of purpose in parliament?” the host quipped back.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website