Labour has nominated a former Conservative rebel for a knighthood, sparking anger from Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch. The move comes as Rishi Sunak faces a major rebellion over his Rwanda Bill, with Tory deputy chairs and a ministerial aide threatening to defy the whip.
Jane Stevenson, a ministerial aide to Badenoch, said she would back hostile amendments to the Rwanda legislation in crunch votes. Two Conservative deputy chairs, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, have also pledged to rebel, leaving Sunak with a dilemma over whether to sack them.
Boris Johnson has waded into the row, urging the government to accept amendments that would block the European Court of Human Rights from issuing last-minute injunctions. Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and ex-Cabinet colleague Simon Clarke have said they will vote against the bill if the amendments fail.
The government is not in danger of losing the votes outright, as Labour does not support the rebel moves, but a big rebellion would be highly damaging to Sunak's authority. The existential threat to the bill is likely to come at its third reading, where rebels could crash the legislation if Labour votes against.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has announced plans to appoint more judges to speed up migrant appeals, providing 5,000 additional sitting days and 25 courtrooms for hearings.
