Cleverly: Back us and let's put an end to evil trade of trafficking

HOME Secretary James Cleverly has insisted the Rwanda deportation plans are crucial in the battle to defeat "evil" people smuggling gangs.

- Sam Lister

Tory rebels are threatening to vote down the Bill if it is not toughened up before a crunch Commons vote on Wednesday.

But Mr Cleverly warned getting the new laws in place would help defeat the criminal trade that led to five migrants dying when their boat overturned in French waters yesterday.

He said the laws will "make it clear that spending money and risking death just isn't worth it".

Mr Cleverly added: "If you come to the UK illegally you won't be able to stay here. The deaths this week in the Channel show that the people smugglers don't care if the people they smuggle live or die, they just care about the money.

"The only losses that matter to them are money. That's why we are disrupting their flow of cash, as well as boats and engines.

"We and other countries are working in partnership to break the business model of these criminal people-smuggling gangs.

"I am focused on protecting our borders and preventing these senseless deaths. Effective border controls are the right and humane way to deal with these dangerous and illegal journeys. We have been working to break this evil business model, and take on these smuggling gangs."

Senior right-wingers have warned they could oppose the plans in the crunch final vote on Wednesday if they are not toughened up before then.

Tory MPs Mark Francois, Sir John Hayes and Danny Kruger called on colleagues to join them in "standing firm" when the "simply not good enough" legislation goes before them.

Deputy Tory chairman Lee Anderson is said to be considering backing the amendments, but has not commented on the claim.