Illegal Migration Bill: MPs vote to accept Suella Braverman's controversial bill by a majority of 59

MPs have voted to accept the Illegal Migration Bill after a third reading of the legislation.

The bill passed following a third reading, with 289 votes to 230, a majority of 59. The bill will now be scrutinised by the House of Lords at a later date.

The passing comes after the possibility of a considerable Tory rebellion over certain aspects of the bill. Around 20 Tory MPs are believed to have been keen to include court approval to detain children for longer than three days, however they resisted on pushing for a vote on the issue.

The legislation, introduced by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, has been criticised by many as unworkable. The bill aims to reduce the number of migrants making small boat crossings across the English Channel.

Braverman said of the situation: “I think that the people coming here illegally do possess values which are at odds with our country."

The Illegal Migration Bill will change the law so people who arrive in the UK illegally will be detained and removed from the country. They will then either return to their home country or be sent to a third country such as Rwanda.

Some prominent Tories has criticised the proposed legislation. Former PM Theresa May said that the bill would not help victims of modern slavery, saying: “Modern slavery is the greatest human rights issue of our time. The approach in this Bill, I believe, will have several ramifications. I believe it will consign victims to remain in slavery.”

Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, said: “Suella Braverman’s dog-whistle remarks about the ‘values’ of migrants being ‘at odds’ with British ‘norms’ are appallingly divisive and shamelessly intended to stoke fear and hatred of people seeking refuge in this country. No-one should suffer such blatant exposure to prejudice and hostility, especially not in the form of highly insensitive remarks from the Home Secretary.

“The Government’s draconian asylum legislation is already set to tear apart legal protections in this country for refugees, victims of human trafficking and many other people, while Suella Braverman continues pouring petrol on a xenophobic and racist fire they themselves have lit.”