Tories have yet again voted to send Afghan war heroes who helped British troops fighting the Taliban to Rwanda.
In a scathing clash in the Commons, Labour branded the Government's insistence on doing so a "disgrace". MPs voted down a call, backed by the House of Lords, to exempt those who assisted UK forces overseas from being sent to the African nation.
It was thrown out by a majority of 305 to 234 - with just one Tory MP, former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland, rebelling against the Government. MPs also rejected a further Lords amendment to Rishi Sunak's controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill which would set up an independent body to assess if asylum seekers can safely be sent there.
It sets up another bitter clash this evening between the Commons and the Lords over the controversial Rwanda project. Peers wanted the Bill to be changed to ensure no one who helped UK forces - such as troops and translators - are sent to Rwanda even if they arrive by small boat.
Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said: "It beggars belief that the Government is still insisting on being able to deport Afghans who have bravely fought alongside British forces against the Taliban to Rwanda. It really is shameful that we are still debating what should be a given.
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Tories rejected calls for Afghans who helped UK forces fighting the Taliban to be exempted (file image) (Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)"We owe a debt of gratitude to the Afghans who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our troops. And yet this Government is seeking to try to trash our reputation as a country that honours its debts. What a disgrace."
Mr Kinnock say the armed forces are "outraged and repelled" that the Government won't create this exemption. It comes after the Bill, which seeks to get around a Supreme Court ruling that the asylum project was unlawful, was torn to shreds in the House of Lords, setting up a back-and-forth which has lasted weeks, to Mr Sunak's frustration.
This afternoon MPs rejected two amendments put forward by the House of Lords. Ministers say they want to get flights to Rwanda up and running within 10 to 12 weeks.
Home Office minister Michael Tomlinson said the Government will not send those who are eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) to Rwanda. He said: "Once this review of ARAP decisions for those with credible links to Afghan specialist units has concluded, the Government will not remove to Rwanda those who received a positive eligibility decision as a result of this review where they are already in the United Kingdom."
The Bill will be sent back to peers this evening, and it remains to be seen whether they back down, with the Government expecting the legislation to become law this week.
Earlier today Mr Sunak admitted he won't meet his Spring deadline for flights to Rwanda in a surprise press conference in Downing Street. The PM addressed the nation about the Government’s long-delayed Rwanda plan as MPs and peers are due to finally pass legislation tonight that could get flights in the air.
Speaking from Downing Street, Mr Sunak said the first Rwanda flights will take off in 10 to 12 weeks, which means Mr Sunak has missed his own self-imposed deadline to get flights off in the Spring.
He insisted flights would take off "come what may" and sought to blame opposition peers for the delay. He said: "Enough is enough. No more prevarication, no more delay. Parliament will sit there tonight and vote no matter how late it goes. No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda."
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