He reassured MPs that a forthcoming vote on the policy would not be a vote of confidence in his government, implying that party members could oppose it without risking expulsion from the Conservative parliamentary group.

The Rwanda policy, devised under former PM Boris Johnson and championed by Sunak as a deterrent to illegal English Channel crossings, has yet to see any asylum seeker transfers due to legal setbacks.

The proposed Safety of Rwanda Bill, introduced to bypass a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the scheme unlawful, mandates judges to view Rwanda as safe and permits ministers to override certain aspects of the Human Rights Act.

Critics, including resigned Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick and others on the party's right, argue that the bill doesn't adequately shield the policy from legal challenges.

Despite criticisms and the looming threat of a leadership challenge or early general election, Sunak stresses that the bill represents the strictest immigration measure yet, vital for the operation of the Rwanda scheme, and cautions that pushing further against human rights provisions could jeopardize the entire deal with Rwanda.

Sunak has urged MPs, including the opposition Labour Party, which intends to abolish the Rwanda policy if elected, to back the legislation.

The task of navigating the bill through Parliament now rests with newly appointed Minister for Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson, alongside Minister for Legal Migration Tom Pursglove, following a division of the previous immigration role.