Sadiq Khan, Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram are giving evidence to the COVID inquiry – watch proceedings below. Cleverly dodges question about ignoring international law to force through Rwanda scheme Next to ask a question is Tory MP Miriam Cates, who is part of a group of right-wing Tory MPs calling for the government to go much further in reducing migration, including by disapplying international human rights treaties to make the Rwanda plan work. (Photo: James Cleverly).

Ms Cates asks if the ministers agree with her that “this new legislation promised by the prime minister must be clear and unambiguous in establishing that the sovereign will of this parliament… takes legal precedence over the interpretation of international treaties and principles”. The home secretary, James Cleverly, says the new agreement with Rwanda will allow the government to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court. He also says that the accompanying legislation “needs to make it absolutely clear that the will of the British people, as exemplified by the actions of this government, mean that we will work to get flights to Rwanda to make it clear that if people come here illegally, they will not stay here”.

He says the government “will do everything we can to make it happen”, but does not commit to disapplying international law and treaties – which would mean that UK judges would no longer be able to take the respective laws into account when ruling on government policies. Shadow home secretary mocks Cleverly as ‘Colonel Calamity’ – Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has mocked James Cleverly in the Commons, labelling the new home secretary ‘Colonel Calamity’.

Ms Cooper noted that after just two weeks as home secretary, Downing Street has already had to confirm they have full confidence in him. This is in reference to the home secretary being accused of calling Stockton a “s***hole” – something he denies, claiming he had actually called the area’s MP Alex Cunningham a “s*** MP” instead. On substance, Ms Cooper asked about the use of hotels for asylum seekers, saying the number of beds needed has actually increased, asking: “Does he even know what is going on?”

Mr Cleverly replied: “Yes I do”, before adding: “I’ve been in this job for 14 days and I’m conscious that many of my counterparts around the world and around Europe are grappling with many of the same issues. I would love nothing more than to be able to resolve them all in 14 days – I’m good, but I’m not a magician.” Ms Cooper went on to criticise the government’s immigration policy, adding: “They’ve been in power for 13 years and all we’ve got is chaos and briefing wars.

“His backbenchers are already calling him ‘Colonel Calamity’ – he’s got Corporal Chaos next to him on the benches. “Given the mess he’s inherited and his penchant for profanity, does he accept he’s now up a certain kind of creek without a paddle?” It was not entirely clear who the “Corporal Chaos” jibe was directed at, but Ms Cooper appeared to point to immigration minister Robert Jenrick as she made the comment, suggesting he was the likely target.

Courtesy: Sky News