James Cleverly is on his feet to address MPs after the government’s Rwanda policy was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.
He starts by saying the ruling means people cannot be sent to the African nation “yet”.
The new home secretary then claims the ruling was based on facts from 15 months ago, though he adds his government respects the ruling and the courts.
But “nothing” in the rules dims the government’s determination, he says.
Mr Cleverly says he is “struck” by the courts’ stance on refoulement.
Refoulement is where refugees are sent to countries where they might be persecuted.
Mr Cleverly says the UK government has been working on renegotiating the deal to address these concerns – so people sent to Rwanda can only be sent back to the UK.
He adds the government hopes to update the Rwanda deal to a full treaty as soon as they can.
Mr Cleverly says his government – while it is prepared to change the law – won’t do so just to “manufacture” political noise.
This statement is laughed at and jeered at by opposition MPs.
The home secretary goes on to explain other measures the UK is taking to stop people smugglers.
This includes “close cooperation” between the UK and France – with nearly 22,000 crossing attempts apparently prevented this year.
Mr Cleverly also highlights that the number of people arriving from Albania has fallen by 90% this year.
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