MPs set up fight with Lords as they reject amendments to Rwanda Bill [Video]

MPs have rejected amendments to the Rwanda Bill setting up a fight with the Lords on Rishi Sunak’s flagship plan to send migrants to Rwanda.

MPs voted on Wednesday afternoon to stop a change to the legislation that would exempt asylum seekers who aided UK troops overseas, such as Afghan special forces, from deportation to Rwanda.

The Commons also voted against measures designed to make the Bill comply with domestic and international law, and an amendment aimed at requiring a monitoring body to make sure Rwanda is a safe country before asylum seekers are sent there.

Downing Street defiantly insisted on Wednesday that it will not make any changes to the Bill, saying it “is the right way forward”.

Tory MP Sir Robert Buckland, a former justice secretary, was the sole Conservative to rebel against the government, voting with the opposition on two amendments. These were the ones aimed …