The confrontation between the government and the House of Lords over the bill on deportation from Rwanda continues.
Peers have voted to demand changes to the bill, including an amendment banning the sending of people who have helped the British army to Rwanda.
Earlier, MPs overturned the latest set of changes to legislation made by the Lords on Monday.
The proposed law will bring about the much-delayed plan to send some asylum seekers to the East African country.
The two Houses of Parliament have been in conflict for some time over the final wording of the bill.
The legislation was expected to go through the final stages on Wednesday, but will now be voted on again on Monday.
Labor continued to push for a ban on sending people who helped the British army to Rwanda, with colleagues backing its proposal by 247 votes to 195.
Labour’s Lord Browne of Ladyton, who proposed that amendment, said: “Now is the time to give these people the sanctuary they deserve.”
The Labor peer expressed anger at being told his change would be accepted, saying the government had made an U-turn.
“This worthless insurance will not be enough,” he said, referring to the minister’s commitments.
“It is time they learned the political consequences of their inability not to provide a guarantee that is affordable, nor to accept this amendment, because there is little or no support for their inability to do so in this House and certainly there is no majority support in the House.” country to treat these people this way.”
‘Hands are tied’
Another amendment, supported by colleagues, states that flights should not start until a committee of experts set up to oversee the plan decides that Rwanda has met certain safeguards.
This, moved by crossbench, or independent, peer Baron Hope of Craighead, was passed by 245 to 208.
He was supported by Baroness Chakrabati, who said it was a “parliamentary sovereignty amendment” allowing the Foreign Secretary to make a judgement.
Labor does not have a majority in the Lords, but fellow peers are continuing their opposition.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made the scheme a key part of his plan to stop people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The program was first announced two years ago under Boris Johnson and has suffered from delays.
Legal challenges
The legislation, which made its way through parliament, was unveiled earlier this year after the plan was declared illegal by the Supreme Court last year.
In a bid to revive the program and avoid legal challenges blocking future deportations, it would say Rwanda is a safe country under British law.
It would also limit the courts’ ability to block flights on human rights grounds – something ministers say is a necessary step to ensure deportations are not derailed by legal challenges.
But critics say the plan will put people at risk and the legislation undermines the independence of the courts.
Labor argues the plan will fail to deter people from making the journey and has pledged to scrap the plan if it comes to power at the general election.
However, ministers are keen to have the plan up and running before voters go to the polls, which is expected later this year.
