The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is being considered by Parliament. This is a timely event with the House of Lords Report Stage of the Bill taking place on 4th and 6th March. Enacting the Bill will only be the start. A string of legal challenges is to be expected. When, if ever, will we see failed asylum seekers and illegal migrants on planes to Rwanda? The meeting will discuss the scheme, whether it accords with the UK ‘s obligations under international law and, if not, whether this matters. The Society has recently published several papers on this important topic which can be found HERE.

Meeting chair – Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald KC MP

Speakers include:

Lord Murray of Blidworth – Served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office between October 2022 and November 2023 with responsibility for migration legislation and is a current member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. As a barrister at 39 Essex Chambers his practice includes immigration and asylum cases.

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate – A former Member of Parliament and Member of the European Parliament who served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office between October 1995 and May 1997 with responsibility for immigration and was the Conservative spokesman in the European Parliament on justice and home affairs between 1999 and 2016. He is a current member of the House of Lords EU Security and Justice Sub-Committee.

Lord Sandhurst KC – Current Chair of Research of the Society of Conservative Lawyers who co-authored two of the papers on this topic. He practised as a barrister from One Crown Office Row under his family name Guy Mansfield KC and was Chair of the Bar Council in 2005.

Harry Gillow – A barrister at Monckton Chambers specialising in areas of public and commercial law who co-authored two of the papers on this topic with Lord Sandhurst.

Further speakers to be confirmed.

Members are welcome to bring guests to the meeting in the House of Lords. Depending on demand this event may also be made accessible via Zoom.