A former Lord Chief Justice has lashed out after Rishi Sunak caved in to right-wing Tory rebels demands to ignore human rights court rulings.
The Government is poised to amend its controversial Illegal Migration Bill to ensure that injunctions by the European Court of Human Rights can be disregarded.
This would remove a key obstacle preventing people being deported, but the proposal would set an "extraordinarily bad example", ministers were warned.
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd - who served as head of the judiciary in England and Wales between 2013 and 2017 - said: "I think it is a very serious step for the Government to be contemplating putting into force."
But he said such a measure could be defeated when it goes in front of the House of Lords, saying: "Many people would say having the power to ignore a court order is something - unless the circumstances were quite extraordinary - this is a step a government should never take because it is symbolic of a breach of the rule of law."
The Government is understood to be preparing to amend its bill, allowing ministers to ignore European judges in certain situations.
Human rights group Liberty voiced its horror, writing: This shockingly cruel and shameful move will allow the Government to knowingly commit human rights abuses and put people in harm's way
" A new low, even by the standards of this Gov for whom lows come thick and fast"
A group of Conservative MPs say they have reached a deal with the Prime Minister to change new rules for removing people who arrive in the UK on small boats after threatening to revolt over the legislation, according to reports.
Right-winger Danny Kruger is "grateful to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary for their work", the BBC said.
A source close to the MPs reportedly said ministers had agreed to give the Home Secretary powers to disregard injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights - so-called Rule 39 orders - in some instances.
A second amendment will also be introduced requiring British judges to decide a deportation would cause "serious and irreversible harm" in order to block it.
The Government is expected to publish the amendments today ahead of debates and votes next week.
The Bill has been at the centre of controversy, with critics warning the proposed legislation leaves the UK foul of its international obligations and opposition parties dismissing it as unworkable.
Mr Sunak is under intense pressure to stop small boat crossings, having told voters this was one of the Government's top priorities.
But yesterday it emerged that the Home Office believes the number of people arriving in this way could rise by 20% to 56,000 this year.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The Prime Minister promised to stop the boats this year and now it’s clear even his own Government doesn’t believe it as the Home Office is predicting a 20% increase to 56,000 small boat crossings this year. The Conservatives have failed to tackle the criminal gangs or sort out the chaos in the asylum system. All they offer is rhetoric and gimmicks instead of any kind of serious plan.
“Labour has a plan to tackle dangerous boat crossings that are undermining border security and putting lives at risk: crack down on people smuggler gangs, a new deal with Europe including return agreements, reforming resettlement schemes and support for people in the region.“
