Suella Braverman set to launch blistering Commons attack on Rishi Sunak over migration
SUELLA Braverman will launch a blistering attack on Rishi Sunak’s migration record in the Commons today.
The axed Home Secretary is due to make a personal statement machine-gunning the PM over illegal immigration and demand he sticks it to Euro judges.
Her renewed attack risks whipping up right-wing Tory MPs on the eve of the government’s highly-anticipated Rwanda legislation.
Mr Sunak is considering plans to overrule European Convention of Human Rights rules that threaten removal flights taking over.
In her blast from the green benches, Ms Braverman is expected to demand he automatically disapplies Strasbourg edicts from asylum policy.
It follows her extraordinary letter after her sacking that launched a direct challenge to Mr Sunak’s authority.
She accused him of “betraying” a deal the pair struck to dramatically slash net migration, while displaying “weak” leadership.
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Ms Braverman was fired and replaced by James Cleverly after a rogue article taking aim at the Met’s policing of pro-Palestine protests.
Since then she has criticised his approach to migration that is front and centre of the government’s priorities.
Personal statements from the Commons are rare and usually only allowed following the departure of a senior Cabinet member.
Geoffrey Howe famously accelerated Margaret Thatcher’s downfall with his memorable resignation speech in 1990.
It came as Home Secretary James Cleverly flew to Kigali to seal a new treaty that addresses the concerns raised by the Supreme Court.
He said there is now “no credible reason” to block flights and Downing Street yesterday reiterated the hope to get planes off the ground by next spring.
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The PM added: “I said I would stop the boats. I meant it. We’ve signed a treaty with Rwanda making it clear that it’s us who decides who comes to this country – not criminal gangs.”
The beefed-up deal binds Rwanda to give almost all small boat migrants residency even if they fail asylum claims.
However the Kigali government will be able to veto any asylum seeker they want, and Britain will also even take a “portion” of Rwanda’s refugees.
And taxpayers are on the hook for more money beyond the £140million already sent as part of the agreement.
Heaping praise on Rwanda’s “courage” in helping stop Channel crossings, Mr Cleverly took aim with the “uncomfortable” criticism of the East African nation.
He said: “We feel very strongly that this treaty addresses all of the issues raised by their lordships in the Supreme Court and we have worked very closely with our Rwandan partners to ensure that it does so.”
With the deal done, the PM was last night working with lawyers on the emergency legislation expected tomorrow that will declare Rwanda a “safe country”.
He is considering demands from Tory MPs to bypass challenges under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act that could kibosh flights.
Insiders last night insisted the final plan had not been agreed but vowed it would be enough to ram past domestic and international challenges.
Lord Cameron yesterday reminded peers of how Britain overruled the ECHR on stripping prisoners of the vote.
He said: “I think that should be settled by the Houses of Parliament and the ECHR backed down. So that sort of flexibility may well be necessary in the future.”
But Mr Sunak has come under pressure from the centrist caucus of One Nation Tory MPs who yesterday said overriding the ECHR would be a “red line”.
Chairman Damian Green said: “The Government should think twice before overriding both the ECHR and HRA and not rush such long term, difficult decisions.”
Right-wing Tory MPs are also demanding time to scrutinise the legislation, with Brexiteer Mark Francois warning ministers against trying to “bounce” MPs into waving it through.