Rishi Sunak has suffered his biggest Tory MP rebellion in the Commons since becoming Prime Minister, after 60 voted for a rebel amendment on his flagship Rwanda Bill.
Robert Jenrick and Sir Bill Cash led the charge, encouraging dozens of Tory MPs to join them in dealing a major blow to Mr Sunak’s authority.
In the first of numerous votes set to come this evening, the swathe of rebels backed Sir Bill’s amendment, aimed at preventing any international law, including the ECHR, from being considered in future legal cases against the Rwanda policy.
Tory chairmen Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith shocked Westminster at 6pm, resigning from their roles in order to back the rebellion. Jane Stevenson, a PPS to Kemi Badenoch, also voted for the rebel amendment, signalling her resignation from the Government.
Earlier today the Chief Whip Simon Hart delivered an ultimatum to wavering Tory MPs considering backing the rebel amendments.
The Express understands Mr Hart made clear that any member of the payroll that doesn’t support the Government this evening will have made their position untenable.
Among the backers for Sir Bill Cash’s amendment were senior Tory MPs including Sir Simon Clarke, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mark Francois, Sir Christopher Chope, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Sir Edward Leigh and Sir James Duddridge.
In full, 60 Tory MPs backed the rebellion, and were joined with eight DUP MPs and two independent MPs – former Tories Scott Benton and Andrew Bridgen.
More votes on amendments are set to come this evening, before the final Third Reading vote on the Bill tomorrow.
The key legislation is being presented as a make-or-break opportunity for Mr Sunak to get illegal migration under control and stop the boats ahead of the General Election.
Many of the rebels, who argue the legislation isn’t tough enough to succeed crossings, warn any further failures to deport migrants will only contribute to the Tories’ potential election bruising.
Tory rebels included former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Robrt Jenrick and ex Prime Minister Liz Truss. Mr Jenrick quit as immigration minister in December over Mr Sunak’s approach.
Former cabinet minister David Jones and former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg also defied the Government.
Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, co-chairmen of the New Conservatives group, also rebelled against the Government.
Mr Sunak accepted the resignations of Mr Anderson and Mr Clarke-Smith.
A Downing Street source said: “The PM accepts their resignation and thanks both Lee and Brendan for their dedication and hard work for the Conservative Party.
“This is the toughest legislation ever brought before Parliament to tackle illegal migration.
“This Bill will make it clear that if you come here illegally you will not be able to stay. We must pass this Bill to deliver what all Conservatives want – a credible plan to stop the boats.”
Tory rebel Mark Francois said “the numbers speak for themselves” when asked if he would vote against the Bill in a crunch third reading in the Commons on Wednesday.
He said: “I hope very much that the Government will listen and as a result of this… that the Government will listen and take stock and that perhaps there will be some possibility of tightening the Bill… tomorrow.
“The numbers speak for themselves.”
