Rwanda bill faces showdown in House of Lords

The Rwanda bill is facing the prospect of a further delay as the House of Lords prepares to consider a fresh set of changes to the legislation.

On Monday, MPs voted down 10 amendments to the draft law proposed by peers earlier this month.

If new changes are agreed in the Lords later the bill must return to the Commons, potentially delaying its passage until after the Easter break.

The bill aims to revive plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

It declares the east African country as safe, after deportation flights were stalled by the Supreme Court ruling the plan could lead to human rights breaches.

More delays passing the legislation could threaten Downing Street's ambition to get the first flights off the ground this spring.

The legislation is central to the prime minister's pledge to "stop the boats" as it seeks to deter people from making the dangerous journey across the Channel.

Proposed changes being considered by the Lords later include a provision to ensure "due regard" for domestic and international law, which has been put forward by Labour.

Labour peer Lord Browne has also proposed that individuals who have supported the UK armed forces overseas should be exempt from deportation to Rwanda.

Meanwhile, crossbench peer Lord Hope has put forward an amendment that Rwanda only be deemed a safe country once a treaty bringing in new safeguards has been fully implemented.

Home Office Minister Michael Tomlinson has described the proposals put forward by peers as "wrecking amendments".

If all the amendments fail, the bill could become law by the end of this week.

But if any are passed by the Lords, the bill must return to the Commons in a process known as "ping pong", where it is batted between the two Parliamentary chambers until they can agree the final wording.

Labour has suggested it will not seek to block the bill completely.

However, another vote would probably have to wait until MPs return from their Easter break on 15 April, unless the government clears the Commons schedule to allow votes next week.

No 10 officials insist that even if the legislation is not passed until after Easter, the goal of the first deportations taking place this spring can still be met.

Home Secretary James Cleverly urged peers to allow the bill to pass.

"The more this bill progresses, the more worried Labour get that, as we've always said, it will work and the more we've anticipated deliberate efforts from Labour to delay, disrupt or sabotage the scheme," he told the Daily Express.

"We remain focused on not letting that happen, and hope their lordships recognise it's time to let this bill pass so we can continue to stop the boats, and save lives."