Markus Andrews

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSenior ToryMPs have called Robert Jenrick’s resignation “deeply worrying” and “very concerning” as the shock announcement Rishi Sunak’s government.The former immigration minister quit on Wednesday after Mr Sunak failed to appease Tory right-wingers with his emergency Rwanda legislation.Mr Jenrick, once a close ally and friend of the PM, issued a scathing resignation letter, accusing Mr Sunak of a “triumph of hope over experience”.And he said the legislation, designed to salvage the government’s Rwanda deportation plan, will not work.Mr Sunak branded the departure “disappointing”, but told Mr Jenrick in a letter he fears it was “based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation”.But former minister Sir Simon Clarke said Mr Jenrick’s departure was “very concerning”.The senior MP said: “Very sorry – and concerned – to see Rob Jenrick leave government this evening.“He understands totally the strength of public feeling on this issue.”Sir Simon said the question now is “simply will this legislation work”.On Wednesday, chairman of the right-wing European Research Group (ERG) of Tory MPs, said: “If the immigration minister, who is a good man, has resigned over this bill that is deeply worrying.”And former minister Andrea Jenkyns, an ardent Boris Johnson loyalist, said Mr Jenrick’s resignation “may be the death knell for Sunak’s leadership”.Tory former attorney general Dominic Grieve said the party is now “seriously split ideologically in a way that I have never seen before”.“What we’re now watching is a split between people who believe in the rule of law, and people who don’t actually believe in the rule of law at all,” he told the BBC.Cabinet minister Chris Heaton-Harris said it was a “great shame” that Mr Jenrick had quit as immigration minister over the Rwanda policy.But he insisted the legislation will work at getting flights off the ground to the east African nation, telling Sky News: “I think it will work.”Labour’s Yvette Cooper said Mr Jenrick’s resignation showed the “starting gun has been fired” on the next Tory leadership election.The shadow home secretary added: “This is the desperate dying days of a party ripping itself apart, clearly totally out of ideas, lost any sense of leadership or direction.”Mr Jenrick’s resignation letter made clear he wanted to bypass the ECHR – revealing that he had been “pushing for the strongest possible” bill that would put “national interests above highly contested interpretations of international law”.It leaves Mr Sunak facing the near-impossible task of winning votes from both the Tory right, who wanted a “full fat” crackdown on the ECHR, and moderate MPs in the “One Nation” group who warn they cannot back legislation that flouts human rights law. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak’s premiership has been rocked by the resignation of immigration minister Robert Jenrick after the PM failed to appease Tory right-wingers with his emergency Rwanda legislation.Home secretary James Cleverly unveiled a bill in the Commons to “disapply” the UK Human Rights Act in a bid to stop British judges from blocking the deportation of asylum seekers.But the embattled Tory leader has not been able to head off a revolt by MPs on the right of the party, who are furious that the PM chose not to opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).In his scathing resignation letter, Mr Jenrick told Mr Sunak he did not believe the new bill “provides us with the best possible chances of success” in getting the Rwanda flights to take off.The hardliner made clear he wanted to bypass the ECHR – revealing that he had been “pushing for the strongest possible” bill that would put “national interests above highly contested interpretations of international law”.In response, Mr Sunak branded the departure “disappointing”, but told Mr Jenrick in a letter he fears it was “based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation”.Rishi Sunak is under pressure from both sides of the divided Tory party Labour said the latest “chaotic chapter” of Tory infighting showed why it was time for a change of power. The Liberal Democrats said Mr Sunak had lost control of government, as another minister “flees this sinking ship”.Mr Sunak now faces the near-impossible task of winning votes from both the Tory right, who wanted a “full fat” crackdown on the ECHR, and moderate MPs in the “One Nation” group who warn they cannot back legislation that flouts human rights law.Adding to the PM’s woes, the sacked home secretary Suella Braverman issued a stinging attack on Mr Sunak – warning that he faces “electoral oblivion” if he fails to get Rwanda flights off the ground before the next election.The new Sunak bill includes provisions to disapply relevant parts of the Human Rights Act so they cannot be factored into court decisions on deportation cases – but does not try to disapply the ECHR.However, the legislation will ensure UK ministers “retain the decision on whether or not to comply” with interim orders from the European Court of Human Rights – the Strasbourg body that oversees the ECHR.In yet another headache for Mr Sunak, the Rwandan government immediately responded to the move by warning that it could pull out of the deal if the UK fails to comply with “the highest standards of international law”.The east-central African country’s foreign affairs minister Vincent Biruta warned: “Without lawful behaviour by the UK, Rwanda would not be able to continue with the Migration and Economic Development Partnership.” Jenrick had ‘pushed’ for stronger version of the new Rwanda billMr Sunak defended his plans at a showdown meeting of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers on Wednesday evening – but failed to keep the right-wingers onside.A source close to Ms Braverman made clear that the bill doesn’t come close to meeting her tests. “It is fatally flawed,” the ally said. “It is a further betrayal of Tory voters.”Some Tory right-wingers submitted letters of no confidence in Mr Sunak on Wednesday, according to ITV. Ex-minister Andrea Jenkyns, an ardent Boris Johnson loyalist, said Mr Jenrick’s resignation “may be the death knell for Sunak’s leadership”.Dozens of hardliners – including members of the 35-strong New Conservatives, the Common Sense Group and the European Research Group – met again on Wednesday evening to decide if they could vote for the new bill.The Independent understands many of them are unhappy with the “middle way” option to disapply the Human Rights Act. One senior MP said there would be “no purpose” to the bill if it fails to thwart ECHR challenges.The PM had been warned that he faced an even more damaging rebellion – with the possible resignation of up to 10 moderate ministers – if he used the emergency legislation to bypass the ECHR. Senior Tory moderate Damian Green, chair of the One Nation group – which boasts support from around 100 MPs – has warned Mr Sunak that he “should think twice before overriding both the ECHR and HRA”.Former home secretary Suella Braverman told Mr Sunak to bypass ECHR or face ‘oblivion’A spokesman for One Nation said it welcomed the government’s decision to stick with “international commitments” – but is now taking legal advice on whether it can now support the bill.The front page of the legislation concedes that the government is unable to say whether the bill is compatible with the ECHR, an admission that may make moderates uneasy about voting for it in parliament in the crucial days ahead.New foreign secretary David Cameron said he was “sorry” that Mr Jenrick had resigned. But he defended the “comprehensive” Rwanda bill – claiming it would “put this policy beyond doubt” and get flights started.In his exit letter, Mr Jenrick told the Tory leader he refused to be “yet another politician who makes promises on immigration to the British public but does not keep them”. Mr Sunak wrote back: “Your resignation is disappointing given we both agree on the ends, getting flights off to Rwanda so that we can stop the boats. I fear that your departure is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation. It is our experience that gives us confidence that this will work.”In another surprise, Ms Braverman made a formal resignation speech in the Commons. She suggested her own previous “stop the boats” legislation should have been scrapped in favour of a “more robust alternative that excluded international and human rights laws”.The Tory hardliner attacked “expansive human rights laws flowing” from the ECHR that were stopping the Rwanda flights. Ms Braverman also said it was “no secret” that she supports quitting the ECHR altogether.Her unusual personal statement to the Commons followed her bitter exit last month. A similar speech by Geoffrey Howe following his resignation in the Commons in 1990 is often credited with ending Margaret Thatcher’s political career.It came despite the government claiming that the new bill would “unambiguously exclude the courts from challenging the fact that Rwanda is safe”. Mr Sunak insisted that his new legislation would make sure his Rwanda plan “cannot be stopped”.Speaking in the Commons, Mr Cleverly said the bill was “lawful, fair and necessary”. The home secretary told MPs that the government was determined to pass its emergency legislation through parliament quickly. He also denied Labour claims that Rwanda was getting cold feet due to the “toxic” deal. The UK’s top court last month blocked the Rwanda policy over concerns that genuine refugees could be wrongly sent back to their countries of origin where they would face persecution.Nick Vineall KC, chair of the Bar Council, said the new bill was still “likely to give rise to legal challenges” over planned deportations – pointing out that it “retains the right of the courts to consider whether Rwanda is a safe country”. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailRishi Sunak has stopped short of introducing the Hillsborough Law demanded by campaigners, as he issued an apology to bereaved families in the Commons.Former bishop of Liverpool James Jones set out 25 learning points in his 2017 report following inquests into the disaster at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield – where 97 Liverpool FC fans died.In its long-awaited response on Wednesday, the government has said it had signed up to a Hillsborough Charter – pledging to place the public interest above its own reputation – but said a “Hillsborough Law”, enforcing a legal duty of candour, was not necessary.In the foreword, home secretary James Cleverly and justice secretary Alex Chalk admitted the response had taken “too long, compounding the agony of the Hillsborough families and survivors”. The ministers added: “For this we are deeply sorry.”Mr Sunak said: “The Hillsborough families have suffered multiple injustices and more than 34 years later there can never be too many apologies for what they have been through.”The PM added: “And I want to repeat that apology today and thank the Hillsborough families for their tenacity, patience and courage.”Inquests into the deaths at the match, played between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989, concluded in 2016 and found that fans were unlawfully killed and errors by the police and ambulance service caused or contributed to their deaths.The match commander on the day, David Duckenfield, was charged with gross negligence manslaughter in 2017 but he was cleared in 2019 at a retrial, after the jury in his first trial was unable to reach a verdict.Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham outside Anfield memorial in 2022 In his 2017 report, Mr Jones called for the government to give “full consideration” to a “Hillsborough Law” or Public Authority (Accountability) Bill.The aim was to include a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials to tell the truth and proactively cooperate with official investigations and inquiries.But the Tory government said it was “not aware” of any gaps in legislation or clarifications needed that would further encourage a culture of candour among public servants in law.It is understood ministers believe that adopting the duty of candour would risk “creating conflict and confusion” because of the framework of duties and obligations already developed since the disaster.In its report, the government said the families and survivors were “entirely justified” in their frustration with the evasiveness they experienced from public officials. But it said much had changed in terms of expectations and requirements on public officials since 1989.Rishi Sunak repeated government apology to Hillsborough families It said that “continuing to drive and encourage a culture of candour among public servants” was essential and an important part of the Hillsborough Charter, which deputy PM Oliver Dowden had signed on behalf of the government.Mr Jones said the government’s response “falls short of the hopes of the Hillsborough families” – but said it was “a serious and substantial response” and welcomed the decision to sign the charter.Former Tory prime minister Theresa May bemoaned the fact it has taken “so long” to respond to Mr Jones’ report. She asked for details on specific steps to ensure a new culture is instilled “across the whole of the public sector”.The justice secretary highlighted efforts to put the charter into effect, saying it will be in training for police officers and induction for civil servants. Mr Chalk added it will “become part of the culture of what it means to be a civil servant in Britain”.Leaders of public bodies who sign up to the charter commit to place the public interest above their own reputations.Other organisations that have already signed up to the charter include the National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing, Crown Prosecution Service and Kensington and Chelsea Council, the report said.The government response also states that it will consult on expanding the provision of legal aid for inquests following public disasters.In 2021, retired officers Donald Denton and Alan Foster and former force solicitor Peter Metcalf, who were accused of amending statements to minimise the blame on South Yorkshire Police after the tragedy, were acquitted of perverting the course of justice.Mr Justice William Davis said the amended statements were intended for a public inquiry into safety at sports grounds led by Lord Justice Taylor, but that was not a course of public justice. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailWatch as David Cameron meets with US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, 6 December as part of his first visit to the US since becoming foreign secretary.As part of the trip, Lord Cameron was due to hold a series of bilateral meetings – he was expected to speak with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as Republican and Democratic members of Congress.According to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the former prime minister’s discussions will focus on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.It comes after Joe Biden urged Congress to pass his national security supplemental request, including funding to support Ukraine, earlier on Wednesday.The US president’s administration has warned Congress that money for the European country will run out by the end of the year as Russia’s invasion continues.Earlier this week, Mr Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan declared that not passing the additional aid would “make it easier for Putin to prevail.” More

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UKSign up to our Brexit email for the latest insightRishi Sunak has been handed a major boost after EU officials agreed to delay post-Brexit tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) ahead of a looming “cliff edge” deadline.The UK government had been urging Brussels to push back the costly new tariff rules set to come into force in January 2024 as part of Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade deal.On Wednesday the European Commission said it wanted to delay the rules – set to hit the electric cars trade between the EU and Britain – by three years.The commission also said it was setting aside an additional €3bn (£2.6bn) to boost the EU’s battery manufacturing industry – a move designed to counter China’s dominance in batteries.Mr Johnson’s Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) agreed that, to qualify for zero tariffs, at least 45 per cent of the value of EVs need to be from the EU or Britain.Import tariffs of 10 per cent were set to apply on companies for falling short of those requirements in their cars and other vehicles.The Independent revealed in October that British industry bosses feared the changes could increase the price of electric vehicles in the UK by £6,000.Given batteries represent 30 to 40 per cent of a car’s value and that most are from China, carmakers argued they would not have been able to meet the content requirements.Rishi Sunak with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen agreeing deal on Northern Ireland earlier this year The new EU proposal is to extend the first transition period by three years to 2027 when the full local content requirements of the TCA will apply. A second planned transition period will not apply.Thierry Breton, the influential European commissioner, had said in September that it would be wrong to give in to pressure from one industry. “If something has been negotiated, it shouldn’t be changed,” he said on the Brexit deal.But European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic – who oversees EU relations with Britain – said on Wednesday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and soaring energy prices meant that EU battery production had not scaled up as planned.Mr Sefcovic also cited the subsidy schemes offered by Europe’s rivals for the change in heart among top Brussels officials.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak had been pushing for delay to car tariffs The EU had been warned of an “existential threat” posed by new rules of origin by carmakers. The UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) previously called for a delay until 2027.The VDA – the lobby group for Germany’s car industry – ramped up the pressure by saying “we must urgently make adjustments” to the Brexit deal.The breakthrough comes after Mr Sunak managed to clear up some of the post-Brexit mess by agreeing a deal for the UK to rejoin the EU’s £85bn Horizon science research scheme. It was formally agreed this week.Earlier this year, the Tory leader agreed the Windsor Framework with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to ease post-Brexit trading problems in Northern Ireland.Ms Von der Leyen last week described it as “a new beginning for old friends”. She also suggested that young Britons could still reverse Brexit by deciding to rejoin the EU in the years ahead. More