Friday, January 31, 2014

Cameron 'running scared' from his own MPs over immigration rebellion


The PM abstained on backbencher Dominic Raab’s Commons proposal to make it easier to deport foreign criminals even though Theresa May said it would be illegal

Scared: David Cameron
Scared: David Cameron
David Cameron has been accused of being “scared” of his own MPs after having to rely on Labour votes to see off a Tory rebellion over immigration.

The PM abstained on backbencher Dominic Raab’s Commons proposal to make it easier to deport foreign criminals even though Home Secretary Theresa May said it would be illegal.

Mr Cameron was spared further embarrassment when Labour and Lib Dem MPs helped defeat Mr Raab’s amendment by 241 votes to 97.

Labour’s Yvette Cooper said: “I can think of no precedent for ministers abstaining on an amendment as they are scared of their backbenchers.

“The Home Secretary told the House the measure was illegal, then refused to vote against it.

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