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The House of Lords has inflicted a fresh defeat on the government over its flagship Rwanda bill.
A Labour proposal to include a provision to ensure “due regard” for domestic and international law was passed by 271 to 228 votes.
It means there will be a further delay in the draft bill becoming law as it must now return to the Commons.
The legislation aims to revive the government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
It declares the east African country is safe, after deportation flights were stalled by the Supreme Court ruling the government’s plan could lead to human rights breaches.
The scheme is central to the prime minister’s pledge to “stop the boats” as it seeks to deter people from making the dangerous journey across the Channel.
Opposing the Labour amendment, Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe insisted there was nothing in the bill which conflicts with the UK’s international obligations.
The bill must now return to the Commons in a process known as “ping pong”, where it is batted between the two Parliamentary chambers until they can agree the final wording.
Another vote will probably have to wait until MPs return from their Easter break on 15 April, unless the government clears the Commons schedule to allow votes next week.
This could threaten Downing Street’s ambition to get the first flights off the ground this spring.
No 10 officials insist that even if the legislation is not passed until after Easter, their target date can still be met.
On Monday, MPs voted down 10 amendments to the draft law proposed by peers earlier this month and they are likely to again reject any further changes put forward in the House of Lords.
Other changes being considered by the Lords include a proposal from Labour peer Lord Browne that individuals who have supported the UK armed forces overseas should be exempt from deportation to Rwanda.
Meanwhile, crossbench peer Lord Hope has put forward an amendment that Rwanda only be deemed a safe country once a treaty bringing in new safeguards has been fully implemented.
Home Office Minister Michael Tomlinson has described the proposals put forward by peers as “wrecking amendments”.
Ahead of the Lords debate, Home Secretary James Cleverly urged peers to allow the bill to pass.
“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,” he told the Daily Express.
“We remain focused on not letting that happen, and hope their lordships recognise it’s time to let this bill pass so we can continue to stop the boats, and save lives.”
Labour’s Home Affairs spokesman Lord Coaker said the party had no intention of blocking the bill completely.
Labour has said it would scrap the Rwanda scheme if it wins power, even if flights take off before the next general election.
However, asked if any individuals already sent to the country would be returned to the UK under a Labour government, a party spokesman said they would not, adding: “If the scheme is up and running you have to accept the decisions the government has already made.”
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