Downing Street admitted the UK was in the grip of a 'migration emergency' today - but refused to force through its Rwanda deportation flights law before Easter.
More than 4,000 people are thought to have crossed the English Channel so far this year, according to Home Office figures, with 514 people making the journey in 10 boats. The PM's timetable of the first deportation flights taking off in the Spring looks increasingly difficult, with Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt confirming that MPs will not consider legislation until April 15
Ms Mordaunt suggested that if MPs remove the amendments on April 15 and peers subsequently reinstate them, there will be a final showdown on April 17. As well as compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe, it would also give ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.