President of European Court of Human Rights Demands Compliance with Injunctions
A fresh dispute has emerged between the UK and Europe as a top judge warns Chancellor Rishi Sunak against disregarding European Court rulings on Rwanda. The President of the European Court of Human Rights, Siofra O'Leary, has ordered Prime Minister Boris Johnson to comply with any injunctions that would prevent migrant removal flights to Rwanda from taking off.
Tory MPs Furious at Judicial Activism
The intervention by Siofra O'Leary has been heavily criticized by furious Tory MPs, who describe it as a blatant display of "naked judicial activism." Downing Street has also refused to back down, reiterating its stance that Britain will overrule any attempts by Strasbourg judges to block deportations to Kigali.
PM Sunak Pledges to Dismiss Rule 39 Orders
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, has vowed to dismiss future Rule 39 orders if necessary to send illegal migrants to Rwanda by spring. Rule 39 orders, often referred to as "pyjama injunctions" because they are issued in the dead of night by anonymous ECHR judges, have already scuppered an initial deportation flight in 2022.
ECHR President Insists on Legal Compliance
Despite the PM's declaration, European Court President Siofra O'Leary insists that there is a clear legal obligation to comply with Rule 39 measures. She argues that these interim measures are only issued in exceptional circumstances where there is a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm.
No10 Refuses to Yield
Downing Street has firmly rejected O'Leary's remarks and remains confident that the proposed Rwanda Bill is compliant with international law. The Prime Minister's spokesperson reiterates Johnson's position that no foreign court will be allowed to block deportation flights.
Tory MPs Reject Calls to Leave ECHR
Despite growing calls from some Tory MPs to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights, the government has dismissed the idea. Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick describes O'Leary's remarks as naked judicial activism but does not advocate leaving the ECHR.
Rwanda Bill Faces Opposition in House of Lords
The Rwanda Bill, which seeks to facilitate deportations to Rwanda, will be presented to the House of Lords on Monday. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to face opposition from rebellious peers in his attempt to pass the bill.
