Jenrick's resignation over Rwanda is worrying, Conservative MPs say

Robert Jenrick returns home after announcing his resignation over the Rwanda bill. Photo: Jamie Lorriman

Robert Jenrick resigns over Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill The bill is “deeply troubling”, Tory MPs have warned amid concerns about the direction of the government.

Mr Jenrick quits with as Immigration Minister on Wednesday, warning that emergency legislation enabling the deportation of refugees represented a “triumph”. hope over experience.”

Mr Sunak responded by accusing his former cabinet colleague, who was once one of his closest political allies, of misunderstanding the new law.

Mr Jenrick's dramatic departure has plunged the prime minister into a new crisis over migration. with some on the Tory right raising concerns that the minister responsible for helping implement the new measures had instead decided to resign.

On Wednesday evening, Sir Simon Clarke, a former cabinet minister, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Very sorry – and concerned – that Rob Jenrick is leaving government tonight.”

“He fully understands the situation. The strength of public opinion on this issue. [The question] now is simply whether this law will work.”

Earlier in the day, Mark Francois, chairman of the European Study Group of right-wing Tory Brexiteer MPs, told MPs: “If the immigration minister, who is a good man, resigned because of this bill, which is deeply troubling.”

Dame Andrea Jenkins, who last month became the first Conservative MP to release a letter of no confidence in Mr Sunak, said on Thursday the party needed a new start.

Dame Andrea, Mr's former private secretary Jenrick, said: “I was Robert’s PPS during the lockdown days when he was housing secretary. I've seen how strong he can be against public service, and he's a very smart guy. He wouldn't get anything wrong.

“I think all this politics is just throwing the can to the side, and I will submit to the star chamber, the group of lawyers that will be watching over this.

The Star Chamber is made up of legal experts and is chaired by Sir Bill Cash, the veteran senior Brexiteer and Tory MP for Stone.

It has reconvened to question Mr. on Sunak's proposals and will deliver his verdict on Rwandan law in “days, not weeks”, having previously reviewed Boris Johnson's UK-EU trade deal and Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement.