Tory migration bill rebellion called off at 11th hour as government agrees to talks
The Express understands Tory rebels have come to an agreement with the government over the Illegal Migration Bill.
A potentially major Tory rebellion was called off at the last-minute this evening, after the government made an 11th-hour agreement to talks, Express.co.uk can reveal. Rebels had told the government they wouldn't push for a vote on an amendment to the bill if the government agreed to meaningful talks.
The proposed amendments threatened a major row about the UK's relationship with the European Court of Human Rights and their ability to block migrant deportations to countries like Rwanda.
Discussions went on throughout the afternoon, and sources told express.co.uk they have agreed to talks about the proposals put forward in the amendment over the Easter recess.
As a result, Sir Bill Cash told the Commons this evening he would not be pushing for a division over the amendment.
Despite saving the government a major headache this evening, one of the rebels signed up to the amendment warns they will push them if the meaningful talks over Easter aren't taken seriously.
They warned they would make trouble if the government “f***s us over” during the talks.
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Dozens of Tory MPs had backed amendments to ensure that anyone who arrives unlawfully they will be detained and swiftly removed.
Three of the backers wrote for the Conservative Home website this morning clarifying that the amendments are not "a Trojan horse for leaving the ECHR", however are intended to preclude Strasbourg from blocking flights to Rwanda.
Simon Clarke, Danny Kruger and Jonathan Gullis wrote that they have four tests the Bill must beat for them to back it.
Firstly, it must prevent Strasbourg blocking flights to Rwanda.
Secondly, it must address those sections of the Human Rights Act that could "tie up the Government in months of litigation”.
Thirdly, the bill must appropriately limit challenges against removal.
Finally, it must ensure that those removed from the UK will not be returned to the UK.
READ MORE: Braverman accused of fuelling Tory rebellion to bolster migrant bill
The triumvirate of rebels said they share the Government's aim of a "firm system", which guarantees safe and legal routes for genuine refugees, but bars illegal arrivals.
20 Tory MPs backed the amendment, but it was expected up to 50 Tory backbenchers would have sided with the rebels this evening if the government hadn't negotiated a cease-fire.
Among the rebels were a number of Conservative grandees, including Sir William Cash, Sir John Hayes, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Sir Edward Leigh and Sir Christopher Chope.
Other Brexit hardliners like Jonathan Gullis, Simon Clarke, Peter Bone, Mark Francois, Andrea Jenkyns and Craig Mackinlay also backed the amendment.
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Last night Suella Braverman was accused of drumming up support for the amendment against her own bill, allegedly in the hope of pushing No. 10 into backing tougher curbs on immigration.
A “senior Government source” told the Times that Mrs Braverman was “a sock puppet” for hardline Tory MPs.
“She wants to use it to spook us to offer concessions to get them to drop their amendments because a big rebellion would be embarrassing… she has basically become a sock puppet for the right.”
However a source close to the Home Secretary said “This is totally untrue and neglects to mention the fact the home secretary has been calling MPs to ask them to give the government time to consider their concerns and not rebel against the bill.
“The people spreading scurrilous rumours like this about the home secretary should reconsider and refrain.”