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Robert Jenrick resigns as immigration minister, MPs told Robert Jenrick resigns as immigration minister over Rwanda legislation
(32 minutes later)
Robert Jenrick has resigned as immigration minister, the home secretary has said. Robert Jenrick has resigned as immigration minister, saying the government's emergency Rwanda legislation "does not go far enough".
"That has been confirmed," James Cleverly said after repeated questioning from MPs in the Commons. He said "stronger protections" were needed to end "the merry-go-round of legal challenges which risk paralysing the scheme".
It comes as the government unveiled emergency legislation aimed at enabling its Rwanda policy to go ahead. The government said the bill, unveiled earlier, made clear in UK law Rwanda was a safe country for asylum seekers.
Ministers say it will prevent further legal challenges to deportation flights - but it does not go as far as some on the Tory right were demanding. But it stops short of what some on the Tory right were demanding.
Mr Jenrick has previously suggested the government could quit the European Convention on Human Rights (EHCR). In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Jenrick said: "In our discussions on the proposed emergency legislation you have moved towards my position, for which I am grateful.
Instead, the bill allows ministers to disregard parts of UK human rights law. "Nevertheless, I am unable to take the currently proposed legislation through the Commons as I do not believe it provides us with the best possible chance of success."
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman - an ally of Mr Jenrick - earlier told MPs the legislation was "destined to fail". He added that the bill was "a triumph of hope over experience".
For the past few hours neither Mr Jenrick himself nor Downing Street have responded to inquiries about the Newark MP's future. The plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda aim to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
But the scheme has been repeatedly delayed by legal challenges and no asylum seekers have been sent to Rwanda from the UK so far.
Mr Jenrick said the emergency legislation was the "last opportunity" to prove the government would do "whatever it takes" to stop small boat crossings.
"But in its current drafting it does not go far enough," he said.
He added: "I refuse to be yet another politician who makes promises on immigration to the British public but does not keep them."
Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "It is a sign of the total chaos in the Tory party and the complete collapse of Rishi Sunak's leadership that even while he is sitting in the Commons for the announcement of his new Rwanda plan, his own immigration minister is resigning because he doesn't think it will work."
Robert Jenrick's resignation letter in full
Why does the UK want to send asylum seekers to Rwanda?Why does the UK want to send asylum seekers to Rwanda?
Braverman: Tories face oblivion if Rwanda bill failsBraverman: Tories face oblivion if Rwanda bill fails
Reports of Mr Jenrick's resignation started swirling after the government published a draft bill, which it said made clear in UK law Rwanda was a safe country for asylum seekers. Reports of Mr Jenrick's resignation started swirling after the government published the draft bill.
He had previously suggested the government could quit the European Convention on Human Rights (EHCR).
Instead, the bill allows ministers to disregard parts of UK human rights law.
The legislation aims to address the concerns of the Supreme Court, which last month ruled plans to send some asylum seekers to the east African country were unlawful.The legislation aims to address the concerns of the Supreme Court, which last month ruled plans to send some asylum seekers to the east African country were unlawful.
The bill, which must be voted on by Parliament, orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act in an attempt to sidestep the Supreme Court's existing judgment.The bill, which must be voted on by Parliament, orders the courts to ignore key sections of the Human Rights Act in an attempt to sidestep the Supreme Court's existing judgment.
It also orders the courts to ignore other British laws or international rules - such as the international Refugee Convention - that stand in the way of deportations to Rwanda.It also orders the courts to ignore other British laws or international rules - such as the international Refugee Convention - that stand in the way of deportations to Rwanda.
However, it does not go as far as some Tory MPs wanted.However, it does not go as far as some Tory MPs wanted.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Robert JenrickRobert Jenrick
UK immigrationUK immigration
ImmigrationImmigration
RwandaRwanda