Rwanda Supreme Court ruling LIVE: Cleverly says plan B ‘is ready’ as Sunak unveils effort to save scheme

James Cleverly has revealed the government’s plan B is “ready”, as a rattled Rishi Sunak has unveiled a last-ditch effort to save his flagship illegal migration policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

After the Supreme Court ruled the policy is unlawful, the home secretary told Sky News the government’s backup plan to get the Rwanda scheme off the ground is “pretty much ready”.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said he would introduce emergency legislation to stop “foreign courts”, such as the European Court of Human Rights, from blocking flights to Kigali as he vowed to get planes in the air by spring next year.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, he said ministers would draw up a new treaty with Rwanda and make changes to domestic law to “remove the obstacles in our way” and address the Supreme Court’s concerns that the east African country is not safe for asylum seekers.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Sunak should apologise to the country for blowing £140m on the failed scheme. “He has wasted all of his time on a gimmick and now he is absolutely nowhere,” the Labour leader said.

Key Points

• Sunak: I’ll introduce emergency legislation to revive Rwanda plan

• Sunak’s Rwanda plan in tatters after Supreme Court rules it unlawful

• Rishi Sunak: ‘This was not the outcome we wanted… but we will stop the boats’

• Rwanda asylum plan: Timeline of government’s policy to deport migrants

Cleverly says Rwanda plan B ‘is ready’

07:38 , Tara Cobham

James Cleverly has said the government’s plan B to get the Rwanda scheme off the ground is “pretty much ready”.

However, when asked by Sky News when the first flights would leave the UK, the home secretary refused to commit to a date when Rwanda deportation flights would take off, saying: “I don't want to pick a date, where I can't give that degree of certainty.”

It came after the prime minister repeatedly refused to say whether the first deportation flight to Kigali would take off before the next general election, saying instead that he hoped the scheme would come into effect next spring.

Yvette Cooper: ‘Problems cannot be resolved in the short term’

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:06 , Archie Mitchell

Yvette Cooper has repeated Suella Braverman’s “magical thinking” jibe against Rishi Sunak after he promised a new treaty with Rwanda to make the deportation plan work.

The shadow home secretary told her new opposite number James Cleverly: “I suggest to him that he stops wasting taxpayers money on more failing schemes that he ditches the magical thinking and the culture wars of his predecessors and that he ditches the gimmicks and finally gets.”

After Ms Braverman was sacked, she accused Mr Sunak of “magical thinking” for failing to come up with a back-up plan if his Rwanda policy was blocked.

On Wednesday Ms Cooper cited the Supreme Court’s assertion that issues with the plan cannot be resolved in the short term, adding: “Again more of the magical thinking.”

Theresa May: ‘Supreme Court judgment was not contingent on the ECHR’

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:17 , Joe Middleton

Theresa May has said the Supreme Court judgment was “not contingent on the ECHR”, in a warning to Tory MPs urging Rishi Sunak to pull out of the human rights convention.

The former prime minister asked home secretary James Cleverly to confirm the fact.

Mr Cleverly said Ms May was making “an incredibly important point”.

James Cleverly 'struck' by Supreme Court remarks over Rwanda ruling

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:22 , Joe Middleton

Priti Patel: Rwanda plan is integral to stopping people smuggling

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:32 , Joe Middleton

Priti Patel has called for the government to “take every necessary step” to ensure the Rwanda deportation plan is delivered.

The former home secretary said the plan is “integral to making sure we can break the model” of people smuggling gangs.Ms Patel said there are “practical measures” ministers can take working with the Rwandan government to enact the plan.

She added: “Can I please urge the home secretary to take every necessary step and measure to work with the government of Rwanda on the practical and operational delivery of this policy?

“Because this partnership is absolutely integral to making sure that we can break that model, stopping the evil trade of people smuggling.”

James Cleverly: Some asylum seekers lie about their sexuality

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:37 , Joe Middleton

James Cleverly has said some asylum seekers lie about their sexuality to claim asylum, telling MPs that “bad people hide amongst good people”.

“Sometimes people lie to take advantage of the goodwill of others,” the new home secretary added.

Mr Cleverly was asked whether he stands by comments by his predecessor Suella Braverman, who said: “They come to the UK, they purport to be homosexual in the effort to get in our system in the effort to get special treatment.”

Ms Braverman did not provide evidence for the claim, and asked whether he had evidence to back it up, Mr Cleverly said: “You can’t prove a negative it’s it’s that’s a fallacy.”The new home secretary said he has pursued the rights of LGBT people around the world.

Starmer faces tricky afternoon over Gaza ceasefire vote

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:46 , Joe Middleton

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a tricky afternoon as it appears a number of Labour MPs are set to defy him and back calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The SNP has tabled an amendment to the King’s Speech calling for a ceasefire which could be selected for a vote by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

Sienna Rodgers, a senior writer at the House Mag, tweeted that the “ceasefire amendment has 50+ Labour rebels – including more than a dozen frontbenchers.”

Labour MPs have been ordered to abstain on the SNP move and have instead been told to back Sir Keir’s position calling for longer “humanitarian pauses” rather than a ceasefire.

Labour frontbenchers who rebel to back a rival amendment would normally face the sack for breaking the party whip.

Sunak: ‘Disappointed but committed to making Rwanda plan work’

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:00 , Joe Middleton

Rishi Sunak has spoken to Rwandan president Paul Kagama to express his “disappointment” at the Supreme Court’s judgment.

A readout of the pair’s call said: “[Mr Sunak] thanked President Kagame for his Government’s work over the last 15 months and the extra assurances we have already agreed as they said they would continue to work together to address the Court’s concerns.

“Both leaders reiterated their firm commitment to making our migration partnership work and agreed to take the necessary steps to ensure this is a robust and lawful policy and to stop the boats as soon as possible.”

Stephen Flynn calls for MPs to have 'free vote' on Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:15 , Joe Middleton

Government should withdraw from ECHR and apply ‘notwithstanding’ legislation - Braverman ally

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:20 , Matt Mathers

Sir John Hayes, a close ally of Suella Braverman, said the UK government should withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and apply “notwithstanding” legislation to allow asylum seekers to be deported.

The Conservative MP told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “The court judgment does draw on the ECHR but not the ECHR alone.

“We need to withdraw from that because it has metamorphosised. In its genesis, those who put together the European framework in the wake of the Second World War rightly took the view that international co-operation was necessary to avoid the horrors that we experienced in the 20th century.

“But it has metamorphosised, it has become a means of defending all kinds of horrors, so, yes, we do need to withdraw.

“In the short-term, a simpler process would be to have a piece of legislation that says, notwithstanding the obligations described, notwithstanding some of the things the court drew on today, that we will effect our policy.

“I hope that is what will be brought forward. It is what some people have described as a ‘Plan B’.”

Tory MPs calling for ‘notwithstanding’ legislation are ‘living in a fantasy world’ - Grieve

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:30 , Matt Mathers

Tory MPs who think the government can press ahead with the Rwanda plan by applying “notwithstanding” legislation are “living in a fantasy world”, a former attorney general has said.

Dominic Grieve, the former Tory MP who served as attorney general under David Cameron, said the UK can not “simply override its international obligations whenever it suits it without consequence.”

“You can do it, but it is equivalent to breaching our ECHR obligations,” he told Bloomberg after the Supreme Court ruled that the government plan to deport asylum seekers and migrants to Rwanda was unlawful, adding any such move would end up in the courts in Europe.

When the Supreme Court handed down its ruling earlier one of its five judges, Lord Reed, pointed out that the UK’s obligations on asylum seekers stretched well beyond the ECHR to the United Nations.

‘My duty to do it for other people'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:45 , Matt Mathers

One of the asylum seekers that the government tried to send to Rwanda in June 2022 has told The Independent that he “was so happy” at the news that their deportation plans had failed, Holly Bancroft reports.

He called on Rishi Sunak’s government to process his asylum claim and those of other migrants who he said are “living in limbo” waiting on their decisions.

He was in the Supreme Court, along with charity Care4Calais, when the decision was announced and he said he could tell by the body language of those around him that his claim against the government had succeeded. Speaking through a translator, he said he was “proud” to be part of the legal action against the government and “it was my duty to do it for all the other people”.

“Most of the people seeking asylum are the same, they are fleeing persecution and war. They just want a peaceful life and I feel like I have a duty to fight for those people. I didn’t feel scared challenging the government. I have lived in war before and I feel proud to do this,” he said.

He added: “I was inside the court among the legal team. The moment I heard the decision I was shocked. I realised the decision because the people around me were very happy and I might have cried but it’s hard to remember. Even now, I’m still not 100 per cent absorbing what has happened.”

James Cleverly refuses to say if LGBT asylum seekers are pretending

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:00 , Matt Mathers

James Cleverly has refused to say if he agrees with Suella Braverman that LGBT asylum seekers are making it up.

The home secretary was asked by Labour MP Ben Bradshaw whether he stood by his predecessor’s remarks.

Mr Cleverly said: “If the honourable gentleman wants to know my views on things, he can ask me my views on things rather than asking me to comment on other people’s.”

Cleverly unable to give timeline on new treaty

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:15 , Matt Mathers

James Cleverly was unable to set out a timeline for the Rwanda plan going forward after Rishi Sunak promised to update the UK’s treaty with the east Africa country.

Speaking in the Commons, Dr Caroline Johnson said her constituents were disappointed by the court’s ruling and asked the home secretary about upgrading the treaty and how long that move could take.

“I understand his plan is to upgrade the treaty with Rwanda, can he advise the House how long will that take? Will that be potentially subject to legal challenge? And if so, how long could those legal challenges take?” she said.

Mr Cleverly said he was not able to give certainty on timelines, and added: “I wish that I could.”

Well done for bringing down inflation, Rishi – now for the hard bit

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:30 , Joe Middleton

As the inflation rate shrinks by half, the PM has made good on one of his ‘five priorities’ for the year. Yes, he got lucky, writes James Moore, but he deserves some credit, too

Well done for bringing down inflation, Rishi – now for the hard bit

Boost for millions as landlords to be banned from refusing certain renters

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:31 , Joe Middleton

Landlords will be banned from refusing to rent properties to people who are on benefits or those with children under Government plans.

Amendments tabled on Wednesday to the Renters (Reform) Bill are aimed at ensuring families are not discriminated against and the vulnerable protected, the Government said.

However, landlords will still be able to carry out reference checks to establish rent affordability and “have the final say on who they let their property to”.

Boost for millions as landlords to be banned from refusing certain renters

PMQs: Sunak bashes Starmer for 2019 comments saying Corbyn ‘would make a great PM’

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:47 , Joe Middleton

Lord Cameron: We must do whatever is needed to ‘stop the boats'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:06 , Matt Mathers

Foreign secretary Lord David Cameron said “we must do whatever is needed” to “stop the boats”.

He said: “Securing our borders is a fundamental duty of government.

“We must stop the boats and tackle illegal migration. This is a priority for the British people.

“That is why we must do whatever is needed.”

Justice secretary: we remain committed to stopping the boats

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:10 , Matt Mathers

Justice secretary Alex Chalk has said he respects the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Rwanda deportation plan is unlawful but that the government remains committed to “stopping the boats”.

“Respecting the rule of law means respecting the impartial judgments of our independent courts,” he wrote on X. “Judges apply the law without fear or favour - a longstanding principle of our democratic constitution.

“This government is absolutely committed to stopping the boats, and we will continue to work to deliver on this promise for the British people”.

Suella Braverman: ‘Legislate or admit defeat’

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:20 , Matt Mathers

Suella Braverman has said the Supreme Court’s judgment on Wednesday was “no surprise” and was “predicted by a number of people close to the process”, Archie Mitchell reports.

She lashed out at those criticising judges and said the solution is to “introduce emergency legislation”.

The former home secretary said a bill is needed to block the application of laws including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act.

Ms Braverman added: “This will give Parliament a clear choice: control illegal migration or explain to the British people why they should accept ever greater numbers of illegal arrivals settling here.

“Those who - like me - believe that effective immigration control is vital must understand that they cannot have their cake and eat it: there is no chance of curbing illegal migration within the current legal framework. We must legislate or admit defeat.”

Well done for bringing down inflation, Rishi – now for the hard bit

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:35 , Matt Mathers

As the inflation rate shrinks by half, the PM has made good on one of his ‘five priorities’ for the year. Yes, he got lucky, writes James Moore, but he deserves some credit, too

Read James’s full piece here:

Well done for bringing down inflation, Rishi – now for the hard bit

Sunak: I’ll introduce emergency legislation to revive Rwanda plan

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:49 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has said he will introduce emergency legislation to revive his Rwanda plan.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the prime minister said he did not agree with the Supreme Court decision but that he “respected it” and “accepted it”.

He said he will introduce “emergency legislation” to deem Rwanda a safe country and prevent the “merry-go-round” of legal challenges.

Sunak: Rwanda flights will start in spring next year

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:03 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has said flights will take off for Rwanda in the spring next year after the government makes changes to the plan.

Taking questions from reporters, he said ministers will draw up a new treaty with Rwanda and make changes to domestic law to address the Supreme Court’s concerns that the east Africa country is not safe for asylum seekers.

“That will clear the remaining barriers to us getting flights off, as planned, in the spring of next year”.

Sunak dodges question on whether deputy chair should be sacked

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:08 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak dodged a question on whether he would sack Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson.

Earlier, Anderson urged the PM to “ignore” the Supreme Court’s ruling and get planes to Rwanda in the air as soon as possible.

Sunak said Anderson’s comments reflect the “strength of feeling” on the issue that he shared his colleagues’ frustrations.

Sunak: We’ve done more than any recent government on illegal migration

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:13 , Matt Mathers

When asked if he is presiding over a “shambles” after today’s Supreme Court ruling, Rishi Sunak said his government has done more to tackle illegal migration and Channel crossings than any other “in years”.

He added: “We are delivering. We are making strong progress. But in order to get the job done, we need the Rwanda deterrent to work and that is why we have been preparing thoroughly and carefully for all outcomes today.”

Mr Sunak later added the government will “clear the remaining barriers” to getting “flights off the ground”.

Plan to push ahead with Rwanda shows ‘callous disregard’ of refugees

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:07 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak’s intention to press ahead with the Rwanda plan shows his “callous disregard” of asylum seekers, the head of the Refugee Council has said.

Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, said: “The prime minister’s determination to push ahead with shipping men, women and children off to Rwanda, after they have fled war, terror and persecution in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan, shows a callous disregard for those who through no fault of their own have lost everything and have come to the UK in search of safety.

“It will have devastating consequences for the wellbeing of those we work with at the Refugee Council, who are already highly distressed, anxious, and traumatised, and we fear many people will disappear, facing the risk of abuse and exploitation.

“The government’s approach goes against the values of compassion, fairness and humanity which as a country we have always sought to stand up for. It should be focusing on creating a functioning asylum system that allows for a fair hearing on UK soil and provides safe routes so people don’t have to take dangerous journeys.”

Watch: Sunak says flights will start in spring next year

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:20 , Matt Mathers

Patel: Plan could have been implemented in a way that complied with our obligations

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:40 , Matt Mathers

In a statement, former home secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “I am confident that the plans could have been implemented in (a) way that complied with our own domestic law and our international obligations, and the Supreme Court confirmed that changes could be made to bring it into effect.

“The Home Office must now take the necessary steps to ensure that this policy is implemented as our partnership with Rwanda is the single biggest measure to deter illegal migration into the UK.”

Court relied on ‘extreme’ and ‘speculative concerns’ about human rights - Rwanda

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:55 , Matt Mathers

The Supreme Court’s ruling that Rwanda is unsafe for asylum seekers relied on “extreme and speculative concerns” about it human rights record, Rwanda has claimed.

Responding to the ruling, Yolande Makolo, a Rwandan government spokesperson, said: "While this was ultimately a decision for the UK’s judicial system, we take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers and refugees.

“Given Rwanda’s welcoming policy and our record for caring for refugees, the political judgements made today were unjustified.

"The examples raised in court to support the ruling were insensitive to violations of international humanitarian law ongoing in many parts of the world. The court relied on extreme and speculative concerns based on the hypocritical criticisms of the UNHCR, which has on numerous occasions expressed its appreciation of Rwanda’s inclusive refugee policies, qualifying them as ‘exemplary’.

“For example, their claim of "100% rejection rate" of asylum seekers from some parts of the world is dishonest - a total of two individuals from Syria and Yemen were indeed not considered for asylum because there was a faster and more appropriate path to legal residence, and these individuals are currently living and working in Rwanda.

"Also, an earlier agreement with Israel to receive migrants was ended by Rwanda after it was deemed unworkable.

"Rwanda will now focus on working with the UK on a binding treaty to re-emphasize already existing guarantees requiring for the partnership to succeed."

Sunak ‘chasing more headlines’ with press conference - Cooper

Wednesday 15 November 2023 20:18 , Matt Mathers

Labour’s Yvette Cooper accused Rishi Sunak of “making more promises and chasing more headlines”, after his press conference.

The shadow home secretary said: “Rishi Sunak just keeps making more promises and chasing more headlines on boats, without ever delivering on the commitments he’s made already.

“Conservative ministers knew what the problems were with the Rwanda scheme 18 months ago – if they thought this was the answer, why didn’t they do it long ago?

“Suella Braverman, who was in charge of immigration policy just two days ago, said that losing in the Supreme Court would leave the Government with no credible ‘plan B’. Today’s announcement appears to back that up.

“Instead of getting on with the hard work needed and backing Labour’s plan to smash the criminal smuggling gangs, clear the asylum backlog and speed up removals, the Prime Minister is spending even more time and money on this failing scheme.”

Recap: Sunak’s Rwanda plan in tatters after Supreme Court judges rule it unlawful

Wednesday 15 November 2023 20:25 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak‘s flagship plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is in tatters after the Supreme Court ruled it is unlawful.

The UK’s highest court ruled on Wednesday that flights will not be able to go ahead in a blow to the prime minister’s key pledge to cut immigration to the UK.

The unanimous ruling by judges agreed with a Court of Appeal decision in June that found that Mr Sunak’s £140m deal was unlawful because of deficiencies in the Rwandan asylum system. Both courts found that sending anyone to Rwanda would be in breach of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) as there was a “real risk” they could be returned to their home countries to face “persecution or other inhumane treatment”.

Holly Bancroft reports:

Sunak’s Rwanda plan in tatters after Supreme Court judges rule it unlawful

Is it the end of the runway for the government’s Rwanda policy?

Wednesday 15 November 2023 22:00 , Matt Mathers

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled No 10’s deportation plan unlawful, Sean O’Grady looks at what Rishi Sunak can still do to ‘stop the boats’ once the dust has settled.

Read Sean’s full piece here:

Is it the end of the runway for the government’s Rwanda policy?

Sunak vows emergency law change in last-ditch bid to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:00 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak made a last-ditch effort to rescue Tory plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda after the Supreme Court left his flagship “stop the boats” policy in tatters.

The prime minister vowed to bring in emergency legislation and to strike a new treaty with the African country, following a ruling by the UK’s most senior judges that the original plan was unlawful.

Kate Devlin and Archie Mitchell report:

Sunak vows emergency law change in last-ditch bid to send asylum seekers to Rwanda

Rishi Sunak’s dream Rwanda scheme has been thrown out. What will he do next?

00:01 , Matt Mathers

The government’s plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda have been ruled unlawful in a unanimous judgement by Supreme Court in a major blow for Rishi Sunak.

The flagship policy is a pillar of Mr Sunak’s commitment to “stop the boats” before the next election and immigration minister Robert Jenrick has insisted that the plan will go ahead “no ifs, no buts”. Reacting to the ruling, Mr Sunak said that while “this was not the outcome we wanted” the government had been “planning for all eventualities.”

Holly Bancroft and Archie Mitchell report:

Rishi Sunak’s dream Rwanda scheme has been thrown out. What will he do next?

ICYMI: MPs laugh as Sunak asked what Cameron’s ‘finest foreign policy achievement’ is

01:01 , Matt Mathers

Laughter rang out in the House of Commons as Rishi Sunak was asked to name David Cameron‘s "finest foreign policy achievement" during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 15 November, Holly Patrick reports.

The former Conservative prime minister made a shock return to government on Monday after being appointed foreign secretary in a cabinet reshuffle.

Lord Cameron stood down as prime minister and quit as an MP after losing the Brexit referendum, which he had called, in 2016.

He will avoid regular grillings by MPs because of his position in the House of Lords.

Watch the clip here:

MPs laugh as Sunak asked what Cameron’s ‘finest foreign policy achievement’ is

ICYMI: Starmer accuses Sunak of ‘fanboying’ over Elon Musk in heated exchange

02:00 , Matt Mathers

Sir Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of “fanboying” over Elon Musk in a heated exchange during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 15 November, Holly Patrick reports/

The prime minister and Labour leader traded blows after Mr Sunak sacked Suella Braverman as home secretary and appointed Lord David Cameron as foreign secretary.

Sir Keir was referencing Mr Sunak’s talk with the controversial X/Twitter owner about artificial intelligence (AI) in front of an audience of business chiefs at the beginning of November.

Mr Sunak described Mr Musk as a “brilliant innovator and technologist”.

Watch the clip here:

Starmer accuses Sunak of ‘fanboying’ over Elon Musk in heated exchange

ICYMI: Boost for Rishi Sunak as he meets pledge to halve inflation

03:00 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak received a much-needed boost as inflation fell to 4.6 per cent, meaning his pledge to halve the rate at which prices are rising has been met.

The inflation rate when Mr Sunak made it the first of his five priorities was over 10 per cent, meaning he was hoping for a it to drop below 5 per cent.

Archie Mitchell reports:

Boost for Rishi Sunak as he meets pledge to halve inflation

ICYMI: Chinese state media hails David Cameron’s appointment as foreign secretary

04:00 , Matt Mathers

David Cameron’s appointment as foreign secretary is being celebrated in Chinese state media for his “unique understanding” of the Sino-UK relationship.

The takeover of the Foreign Office by the former prime minister could “breathe new life into the China-UK relationship”, said Xi Jinping’s Communist Party-run Global Times in an opinion piece.

Shweta Sharma reports:

Chinese state media hails David Cameron’s appointment as foreign secretary

ICYMI: More than 50 criminal investigations begin into suspected fraud linked to Covid support schemes

05:00 , Matt Mathers

More than 50 criminal investigations have started into suspected fraud linked to Covid-19 support schemes, according to Jeremy Hunt.

The Chancellor added that a total of 80 arrests have been made so far as he responded to concerns from Labour.

Richard Wheeler reports:

More than 50 criminal investigations begin into fraud linked to Covid support schemes

ICYMI: Sunak dumps Braverman’s plan to ban tents for homeless people

06:00 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak has dumped Suella Braverman’s plan to restrict tents being handed out to homeless people on the streets.

No 10 confirmed that the controversial proposal by the former home secretary – sacked on Monday in a radical reshuffle – won’t be taken forward.

Full report:

Sunak dumps Braverman’s plan to ban tents for homeless people

ICYMI: Sunak’s Rwanda plan in tatters after Supreme Court judges rule it unlawful

07:00 , Matt Mathers

Rishi Sunak‘s flagship plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is in tatters after the Supreme Court ruled it is unlawful.

The UK’s highest court ruled on Wednesday that flights will not be able to go ahead in a blow to the prime minister’s key pledge to cut immigration to the UK.

Full report:

Sunak’s Rwanda plan in tatters after Supreme Court judges rule it unlawful

International treaty with Rwanda would take days, says Home Secretary

07:24 , Tara Cobham

Home Secretary James Cleverly said an international treaty with Rwanda and emergency domestic laws would take days rather than weeks.

The measures are aimed at making the Rwanda plan legally watertight following the Government’s Supreme Court defeat.

Mr Cleverly told Times Radio: “We’ve got a memorandum of understanding which we’re going to upgrade to a treaty. That can be done very, very quickly because we have been working on it for some time.

“And the Prime Minister has committed to making sure that we get this emergency legislation into the House quickly.”

That process can be “a very speedy one”, measured in sitting days rather than weeks.

“The whole process won’t necessarily be done and dusted just in a few days, but the actual parliamentary process can be that quick.”

Cleverly denies calling Rwanda plan bats***

07:35 , Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent

James Cleverly has denied privately calling the government’s Rwanda deportation plan “bats***”.

The home secretary told Sky News: “I don't recognise that phrase and the point I am making at the despatch box is that the Rwanda scheme is an important part, but only a part, of the range of responses we have to illegal migration.”

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper on Wednesday claimed Mr Cleverly privately used the expletive to describe the immigration scheme.

Ms Cooper told MPs of Suella Braverman’s successor: “I don't believe the new Home Secretary ever believed in the Rwanda plan. He distanced himself from it and his predecessor's language on it. He may even, on occasion, have privately called it batshit.”

Border control ‘has never been free’, claims Cleverly

07:37 , Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent

James Cleverly has brushed off questions about the £140m+ bill for Britain’s failed Rwanda asylum plan, claiming “border control is not free”.

The new home secretary told Sky News: “Whether you do it here in the UK, or with partners internationally, it has never been free. But the point is, it is working.”

Mr Cleverly was asked about the money Britain has handed Rwanda so far, with the government’s plan B set to add to the bill.

He added: “Small boat numbers are down, returns to countries are up, we are bucking the trend compared with other countries in Europe.”

Government ‘absolutely determined’ to send Rwanda flight before election

07:41 , Tara Cobham

James Cleverly said the Government was “absolutely determined” to get a flight to Rwanda in the air before the general election expected next year.

Asked to guarantee that would be the case, the Home Secretary told Times Radio: “We’re absolutely determined to make that happen.”

But he admitted “the timescales that we are looking at can vary depending on circumstances”.

“We are working to get this done as quickly as possible,” he said.

Row over pulling out of ECHR is ‘a distraction’, says Cleverly

07:42 , Tara Cobham

Home Secretary James Cleverly said the row about whether to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was a distraction.

He told Times Radio: “Our preferred option is to remain in the ECHR.”

The Supreme Court had made the point “there are a number of international treaties which are relevant” in the Rwanda case.

“This is a distracting conversation,” he said.

“I get it is of interest, legitimate interest, but the point I have made is I, the Prime Minister, the Government, will not be distracted from focusing on what we have been told by the Supreme Court judges needs to be fixed in order to get this out of the way.”

Cleverly rejects Anderson’s suggestion law should be ignored over Rwanda

07:45 , Tara Cobham

Home Secretary James Cleverly distanced the Government from Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson’s suggestion the law should simply be ignored over the Rwanda ruling.

Mr Cleverly told Times Radio: “I’ve listened to what he said. I disagree with the point he’s made.

“This is how politics works. I don’t always agree with all my friends and colleagues.

“But the simple point is the Prime Minister, I, the Government are clear and unambiguous. We play by the rules.”

He said Mr Anderson was “expressing the frustration that a lot of people feel” but “we are a law-abiding country, a law-abiding government”.

Watch: James Cleverly says Rwanda treaty can be done in days, not weeks

07:58 , Tara Cobham

Watch: New Foreign Secretary David Cameron meets Zelensky

08:28 , Tara Cobham

Cleverly refuses to apologise for money spent on Rwanda scheme

08:48 , Tara Cobham

James Cleverly said he would not apologise for the amount of money spent on the Rwanda scheme.

Asked how much more would be spent, beyond the £140 million already committed, the Home Secretary told LBC: “I’m going to be really clear on this. I make no apology at all for spending money protecting this nation. It is the primary function of government.

“We know that even before the first flight has taken off the Rwanda policy is having a deterrent effect.

“We interview people that have attempted to come here through illegal migration and we know that people have been dissuaded from coming to the UK because of the fear of Rwanda scheme.”

Watch: Cleverly asked if he called Rwanda scheme ‘bats***’

08:50 , Tara Cobham