Boris Johnson backs Tory plan to defy European court on Rwanda deportations

Bill to take back ’parliamentary sovereignty’ over European Court of Human Rights is fresh challenge to Rishi Sunak

Boris Johnson is supporting a rebel Tory plan to begin deportations of asylum seekers to Rwanda by ignoring a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.

Rishi Sunak faces a fresh challenge by hardliners to beef up his crackdown on cross-Channel crossings – just one day after he announced new measures designed to tackle the small boats crisis.

A backbench bill, also backed by former cabinet ministers Priti Patel and Jacob Rees-Mogg – to be debated on Wednesday – aims to take back “parliamentary sovereignty” over the court.