Rwanda: James Cleverly told he must ‘disapply’ elements of ECHR and UN refugee convention

In Home Office questions today, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Clevelan Sir Simon Clarke told the home secretary he must “disapply” elements of the ECHR and UN refugee convention for the Rwanda plan to succeed.

Sir Simon said: “Disapplication of elements of the ECHR and the refugee conventions, will be necessary. The Court of Appeals cited human rights. The Supreme Court cited refoulement. What will it be next time in the absence of parliament expressly asserting the will of this House?”.

Home secretary James Cleverly responded: “I don’t want to prejudge the content of the [forthcoming] bill [to respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling]. I listened very carefully to the points that he has made, and he and the rest of the House should understand that we will do everything we can to ensure that we break the business model of the evil people smugglers”.