PEERS must stop “sabotaging” the Rwanda deportation scheme and help to smash the people smuggling gangs, the Home Secretary says.
James Cleverly called upon the House of Lords to drop its resistance to the migrant deterrent plan after its attempts to wreck the legislation with ten extra changes.
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MPs rejected those alterations on Monday.
Downing Street has now called on the upper chamber to avoid further amendments when the Bill goes before them again today.
Further hold-ups could mean the law does not pass until after Easter, with flights then not taking off for Africa until June.
Up to 150 illegal migrants have been earmarked to be deported, and Mr Cleverly said: “It has always been illogical to argue the Rwanda scheme won’t work whilst trying everything and anything politically to ensure it can’t.
“The more this Bill progresses, the more worried Labour get that, as we’ve always said, it will work and the more we’ve anticipated deliberate efforts from Labour to delay, disrupt or sabotage the scheme.
“We remain focused on not letting that happen, and hope their Lordships recognise it’s time to let this Bill pass, so we can stop the boats and save lives.”
Lords sources say as many as six amendments could be passed today, but it will depend on how many Tory peers turn up to vote.
But the One Nation Tories may not be ready “to hold their nose” and could be an obstacle to the Bill’s progress.
Lords’ amendments overturned by MPs included ensuring the plan complies with domestic and international law and a requirement for safeguards.
Labour peer Lord Falconer told Times Radio that “we’ve got to rally all our troops” and try to delay the Bill until the General Election.
