London, Thanasis Gavos

The controversial bill to directly deport irregular migrants and refugees to Rwanda to apply for asylum there has been defended again by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Mr Sunak gave a press conference at Downing Street this morning calling an end to the arrival of migrants by boat across the Channel an “urgent national priority”.

In light of this he called on the “unelected” members of the House of Lords “not to oppose the will of the people” and not to block the approval of the bill.

He was speaking 12 hours after the bill’s eventful first approval by the House of Commons on Wednesday night.

The bill was passed by a majority of MPs, despite up to 61 “rebel” MPs from Mr Sunak’s Conservative Party opposing the government during the two-day debate. These MPs voted in favor of amendments that would have made the bill more stringent.

In the end all the amendments were rejected by a majority and only 11 Tory MPs voted against the bill in the final vote.

The legislative process now calls for consideration of the bill in the House of Lords, with several members of the House of Lords having argued that the proposed law violates the UK’s international obligations.

Mr Sunak said the government’s plan was working, as evidenced by the reduction in irregular migration flows across the Channel compared to last year. He added that it is now time to “start the flights” that will take the asylum seekers to the African country, which has so far not been possible due to legal challenges.

Asked by reporters about the rift in his party’s unity, as seen in the parliamentary process, the British prime minister countered that the Tories are “totally united” in wanting “to stop the boats”, which is a key government commitment.