No10 refuses to commit to Rwanda flights taking off this Spring after 'cynical' ... trends now
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Downing Street today refused to commit to Rwanda deportation flights taking off this Spring after 'cynical' peers delayed crucial legislation again.
The PM's spokesman declined to stand by the timetable previously set out by Rishi Sunak, merely saying the policy will be implemented 'as soon as possible'.
No10 pointed the finger squarely at the House of Lords, which refused to back down in the latest stage of Parliamentary wrangling last night.
The comments came as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps gave another strong hint that the RAF will be deployed to run the flights, instead of using a private airline.
The proposed law aims to send some asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Kigali in order to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats.
The Bill and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled asylum scheme after the Supreme Court ruled the plan was unlawful.
No10 pointed the finger squarely at the House of Lords, which refused to back down in the latest stage of Parliamentary wrangling last night
Rishi Sunak has put the Rwanda Bill at the heart of his efforts to 'stop the boats'. Pictured, migrants crossing the Channel earlier this week
Mr Sunak has committed to the first deportation flights taking off this Spring
As well as compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe, it would give ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.
But the House of Lords yesterday snubbed ministerial calls to back down and again
