The Government’s controversial small boats bill cleared its first hurdle in the House of Commons despite a Tory backbench rebellion.
Several Tory MPs, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, called for amendments to the controversial Illegal Migration Bill but the legislation passed its second reading on Monday night.
MPs voted 312 to 250, majority 62, to give it a second reading.
Rishi Sunak faced the threat of a Tory revolt on Monday over his deeply controversial “small boats” bill.
The Prime Minister’s energy tsar Chris Skidmore said he would not vote for the legislation which even the Government’s own lawyers accept may be in breach of international law.
Ahead of the Illegal Migration Bill’s Second Reading, former energy minister Mr Skidmore tweeted: “I am not prepared to break international law or the human rights conventions that the UK has had a proud history of playing a leading role in establishing.
“I will not be voting for the bill tonight.”
The Illegal Migration Bill is being debated in the House of Commons with Suella Braverman defending the policy. Large crowds formed outside Parliament a "stop the Bill" protest.
Other senior Tories who have previously voiced concerns over the legislation include former Cabinet ministers David Davis, Sir Robert Buckland, and Simon Hoare, chairman of the Commons Northern Ireland Committee who is urging the PM to include legal and safe asylum routes to Britain in the bill so it is “tough and humane”.
It comes as the BBC announced Gary Lineker would return to Match Of The Day on Saturday after he was taken off air over his tweets criticising the government’s migration policy.
In a statement released on Monday, BBC Director General Tim Davie said: “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
