Rebel Tory bid to overrule court rulings on Rwanda deportation flights fails

Priti Patel backs backbench bill, but supposed supporter Boris Johnson does not turn out to vote

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Wire)

A rebel Tory plan to clear the way for deportations of asylum seekers to Rwanda by ignoring court rulings blocking the flights has been defeated in the House of Commons.

Former home secretary Priti Patel was among 69 MPs backing the move, but the backbench bill did not receive government support and was voted down by 188 others – including four Tories.

Despite claims of support from Boris Johnson, the former prime minister did not turn to vote on backbencher Jonathan Gullis’s bill.