This footage was filmed and produced 11 December 2023.

Mark Francois, chairman of the Tory European Research Group, said the Rwanda Bill was not fit for purpose.

At a press conference in Westminster he said: “We all want to stop the boats.

“There have been two legislative attempts at this already, the Nationalities and Borders Act – that didn’t quite work – the Illegal Immigration Act – that didn’t quite work.

“So this is, kind of, three strikes and you’re out, isn’t it?

“So what is really important is, if we’re going to put a Bill through Parliament, to have a piece of legislation which is fit for purpose.

“As the Bill is currently drafted, it isn’t.”

ERG chairman Mark Francois said it was not “fit for purpose”, telling reporters: “The Government would be best advised to pull the Bill and come up with a revised version that works better than this one which has so many holes in it.”