Tories threaten ‘thermo-nuclear’ war of words if Euro judges try to block Rwanda deportation flights again
TOP Tories are threatening a “thermo-nuclear” war of words if Strasbourg judges try to block deportation flights to Rwanda again.
Britain’s Supreme Court meets tomorrow to discuss whether Rishi Sunak’s “Stop the Boats” policy is lawful.
But even if Brit judges give it the go-ahead, Downing Street is braced for the meddling European Court of Human Rights to try to block the plan.
The court, based in Strasbourg, could try to apply another so-called “pyjama injunction” — one issued late at night — to stop the flight.
A senior minister told The Sun on Sunday: “If Strasbourg did that it would be a nuclear war. Thermonuclear war. Our judges are the best in the world. If they rule it is lawful, meddling judges in Europe must not interfere.”
Last year, the Strasbourg court issued an order to stop the Rwanda flight.
The Supreme Court is expected to announce its ruling in November.
The judges will consider whether Britain’s membership of the European Convention of Human Rights means we cannot deport migrants to Rwanda.
Many Tory MPs want Britain to quit the ECHR if they block Rwanda again.
Former Cabinet minister Simon Clarke said next week’s hearing will be a litmus test of whether the agreement allows us to police our own borders.
He added: “If we do not succeed, we must bring rights home by replacing the ECHR with a British Bill of Rights.”
Tory Karl McCartney said if we lost in the Supreme Court we must take back control and leave the ECHR.
He added: “If it takes a referendum, then so be it.”
Fellow Tory Tom Hunt said: “We can only properly tackle the small boats crisis with a deterrent.
“If having a deterrent that works effectively is inconsistent with being in the ECHR, then it’s clear what we need to do.”
Judge's options
By Kate Ferguson
WITH Rishi Sunak’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda to be discussed in the Supreme Court, this is what might happen:
- There is unanimous agreement the plan is lawful. The first flight takes off late 2023 or early 2024.
- As above, but an appeal is lodged with ECHR and there’s an injunction.
- The green light is given but not unanimously. Strasbourg judges issue an order to stop the flights.
- There is a ruling against the plan, citing our ECHR membership. Sparks Tory revolt and calls for Britain to quit ECHR. The PM has to decide if quitting is a manifesto commitment.