Tory MPs push to toughen migration bill as rights chief sounds alarm

Ministers consider removing more safeguards while European watchdog urges UK parliament to reject bill

Ministers appear poised to give way to Conservative MPs by removing more safeguards from the illegal migration bill, as the European rights watchdog warned that the proposals even as they stand risk being incompatible with international law.

After days of discussions between ministers and Tory backbenchers, up to 60 of whom are said to want to toughen up a bill that already pledges to deport asylum seekers who arrive in the UK unofficially, one of the leading rebels said the government had promised action.