by Conservative MPs have been warned not to use the deepening crisis over the Rwanda bill to mount a “mad and malicious” attempt to replace Rishi Sunak as leader.
Dubbed “pasta makers”, a small group of anti-Sunak MPs are said to have met at an Italian restaurant to plan a “s*** arrival calendar” for the Tory leader on the deportation issue last December.
Mr Sunak’s authority was dealt a fresh blow when a group of right-wing Tories came to the conclusion that the bill was not fit for purpose – and those who were telling revolt The Independent they are prepared to vote against the PM in January.
As Tory rebels on both sides of the aisle gathered on Monday to discuss Tuesday’s crucial first vote, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick pressed Mr Sunak to accuse him of choosing a “weak” bill ” “doesn’t do the job”.
But Mr Sunak’s allies said it would be “bonkers” for MPs to vote against the bill on Tuesday, and dismissed the idea of trying to force a new leadership contest as “silly” and self-defeating.
The developments came as follows:
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Michael Gove said Sunak was “not thinking” of an early election to get him out of the mess
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A close source, Kemi Badenoch, denied that she discussed replacing the “captain” of the ship
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Suella Braverman suggested that Sunak was lying in claiming that the Rwandan market could collapse
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Professor John Curtice said the Tories could be left with 130 seats in their worst ever election result
Sir Bill Cash – who chairs the “star chamber” of a legal examination pending by hardliners in the European Research Group (ERG) – said that the bill is not “watertight enough” to start the Rwandan flights.
The chairman of the ERG, Mark Francois, said he had invited the New Conservatives group run by Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, the Common Sense Group run by Ms Braverman’s John Hayes coalition, the Growth Conservative Group made up of Liz Truss allies, and the Northern Research Group in red. -Members’ walls to discuss the next steps at lunchtime on Monday.
Mr Jenrick, who stepped down as immigration minister this week, said he would not support the legislation in parliament – suggesting he may abstain from Tuesday. “Everyone who comes across a small boat will be put in a legal claim,” he told the BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
The hardliner also argued that “one or two symbolic flights” were not good enough to turn off the “red-hot man” of voters. But Mr Jenrick denied he was interested in replacing Mr Sunak as Tory leader.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove defended the Rwandan legislation as “tough and strong” – but claimed on Sky News that the government would take the views of Sir Bill and other rebels “seriously”.
Despite insisting that No. “That’s not right,” he told the BBC.
Mr Gove also insisted that Mr Sunak’s government is “not considering” holding an early general election if the Rwanda bill is voted down. The secretary leveled up: “No, we’re not thinking about that.”
However, Ms Braverman supported Mr Jenrick’s claims, saying: “Everyone who is put on the first flight to Rwanda will have individual claims.”
She claimed that the bill still leaves the government open to injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. “Like Rule 39 [injunctions] it will disrupt flights,” Ms. Braverman wrote in an ed-ed for the Sunday Telegraph.
Ms. Braverman also attacked Mr. Sunak’s “strange” claim that a tougher bill would have caused the deal with Rwanda to collapse. “I talked a lot with the Rwandan government. Not once did any concerns arise.”
An anonymous group of Deputies has told the Sunday Mail that they want to get rid of Mr Sunak – and some even want to bring Boris Johnson back as leader.
Dubbed the “pasta makers”, a small group of MPs and anti-Sunak strategists were said to have met at an Italian restaurant to plan a “s*** advent calendar” for the PM over the Christmas period.
“No matter how you feel about it, one thing no one can question [Mr Johnson]effectiveness as a campaigner,” one redwall MP told the newspaper. But with the former PM now out of parliament, the pasta plotters are said to be uncertain who could replace Mr. Sunak.
Damian Green – chairman of the moderate One Nations wing of the party – offered a warning to any right-wing rebels pushing the Rwanda issue as a way to get rid of Mr Sunak.
“Anyone who thinks the Conservative party or the country needs a change of prime minister is mad or malicious or both,” he told BBC host Laura Kuenssberg. Mr Green added: “It’s a very, very small number to do that [plotting to oust Mr Sunak].”
The One Nation group – which has around 100 MPs – is due to meet to give its verdict at around 7pm on Monday. They are always worried about the idea that the ministers will tell the courts that they have to decide that Rwanda is “safe”.
One senior Conservative MP told the right involved in the “star room” discussion. The Independent that their review of the bill which was laid out on Monday evening would be “strong”.
Although Mr. Sunak is increasingly confident of No.
“I think many see the wisdom in biding their time until the third reading. If it’s not remedied, we shouldn’t be returning a bill that doesn’t do business.”
They denied using the bill as an attempt to plot against the PM – insisted that the challenge was not under Mr. Sunak’s leadership.
The Labor whip will vote against the bill, which means that a rebellion of just 29 Tories could deliver a humiliating defeat at any time. Old Tory David Davis told The Independent that the rebels “would be bonkers to vote against it – the bill goes as far as they can”.
But the former cabinet minister said that he did not think that 29 MPs would defy Mr. Sunak when it came to the crunch at the third reading stage.
Mr Davis said a small number of MPs had “maneuvered” against Mr Sunak. “It’s silly. It is clear that some of them are using this question [to undermine the PM]. I talk to people who have very little time for Rishi Sunak, but still think it would be their clothes to replace him.”
Foreign secretary David Cameron is said to have been helping No. 10 as they try to convince Tory rebels to support the bill.
The Prime Minister has been under fire for being too slow and out of touch since the Supreme Court verdict against the Rwanda plan weeks ago – allowing others like Ms Braverman to do the weather. “He is a very bad politician,” one cabinet minister told the Sunday Times.
Several told the newspaper that business secretary Kemi Badenoch – seen as a favorite in a future leadership contest – has told colleagues: “The ship is heading for the rocks. What are we going to do about the captain?” But a source close to Ms Badenoch strongly denied the claim as “untrue”.
Polling guru Professor John Curtice said the Tories would be lucky to win 200 seats – and could be left with just 130 in their worst ever general election defeat. The election expert warned that the divisions over Rwanda could make things even worse, saying Tory MPs “should realize they could be playing with fire”.
