Council of Europe human rights watchdog condemns UK’s Rwanda bill

Sunak’s bill was passed late on Monday after a showdown with peers, who eventually conceded on two amendments. Photograph: Parliament TV and EPA

The Council of Europe’s human rights watchdog has condemned Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda scheme, saying it raises “major issues about the human rights of asylum seekers and the rule of law”.

The body’s human rights commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty, said the bill, expected to be signed into law on Tuesday after passing its parliamentary stages on Monday night, was a grave concern and should not be used to remove asylum seekers or infringe on judges’ independence.