Airfield on standby and planes booked for Rwanda deportations, Sunak says

Politics

The prime minister has said the first deportation flights to Rwanda will leave “in 10 to 12 weeks”, hours before MPs are due to vote on his emergency legislation.

Rishi Sunak added that the government has “an airfield on standby and booked commercial charter planes”.

“No ifs, not buts, these flights are going to Rwanda,” the prime minister said.

The press conference comes just hours before Mr Sunak’s emergency legislation is due to be voted on by MPs in the Commons and peers in the House of Lords, possibly well into the evening.

The controversial bill will return to the Commons after several rounds of parliamentary ping-pong, which has seen the Lords express their opposition to the proposals through a series of amendments the prime minister does not accept.

Mr Sunak vowed last week that today would be the day the bill finally got through parliament, telling reporters there would be “no more prevarication, no more delay”.

He said both houses would sit as late into the night as needed to agree a version of the bill to pass into law.

More on Rishi Sunak

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

Your Ultimate Spring and Summer Denim Styling Guide
NatWest becomes latest UK bank to report sharp drop in profits
Family in tears as first proof of hostage alive released by Hamas in seven months
Rishi Sunak says migrants going to Ireland shows Rwanda scheme is working as deterrent
Sister Wives’ Meri Brown Details Dating After Kody Brown Split