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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was preaching to the converted.

To a majority of members of the House of Lords, the government’s Rwanda bill is an unholy abomination.

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Last week, their lordships voted by 214 votes to 171, a majority of 43, to delay ratification of the Rwanda treaty until safeguards had been implemented.

And in his speech during the second reading debate on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, Mr Welby accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a “pick and choose approach” to international law.

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The archbishop began his speech by telling peers the heart of the Christian tradition was that strangers were welcomed.

“Jesus said ‘I was a stranger and you invited me in’,” he said.

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And there were loud cries of “hear, hear!” from around the Lords’ chamber when the archbishop declared: “We can as a nation do better than this bill.”

He went on: “With this bill, the government is continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way, leading the nation down a damaging path.

“It is damaging for asylum seekers in need of protection and safe and legal routes to be heard.

“It is damaging for this country’s reputation, which it contradicts even as late as last week where the prime minister himself spoke eloquently on the value and importance of international law for this country.”

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Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaks in the House of Lords as the Rwanda Bill is debated

No-one could accuse the archbishop of contradicting himself on this issue. He led opposition in the Lords to the Illegal Migration Bill, which resulted in a series of defeats for the government.

He has previously described the Rwanda policy as “against the judgement of God”, and he served notice in this debate that he’s prepared to play a full part in their lordships’ attempts to pull the bill apart in the coming weeks.

He ended his speech by saying that he would not be voting for an amendment proposed by Liberal Democrat peer Lord German to vote down the bill at this point, though he found the argument for it “convincing and powerful”.

Lord German’s amendment, which Labour won’t be supporting either, declines to give the bill a second reading for five reasons:

• It places the UK at risk because it breaches international commitments;
• It undermines the rule of law;
• It will lead to substantial costs to taxpayers;
• It fails to provide safe and legal routes for refugees;
• It fails to include measures to tackle people smuggling gangs.

Without Labour support, the Lib Dem amendment has no chance of being passed.

But, ominously for the government, Mr Welby said he wanted to wait until third reading, after amendments have been made to the bill, before taking a decision on whether or not it should pass.

Mr Sunak has urged peers not to block “the will of the people”.

But the archbishop’s argument, essentially, is that the will of God trumps the will of the people.

And many of their lordships appear to agree.

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Trump reignites row with ‘nasty’ Sadiq Khan as Starmer responds

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Trump reignites row with 'nasty' Sadiq Khan as Starmer responds

Donald Trump has reignited his row with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan after calling him a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job”.

During an hour-long news conference with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland, the US president hit out at the Labour mayor, who has responded with his own snipey remarks.

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Asked if he would visit London during his state visit in September, Mr Trump said: “I will, I’m not a fan of your mayor, I think he’s done a terrible job.

“A nasty person, I think.”

The prime minister then interrupted and said: “He’s a friend of mine.”

But the president added: “I think he’s done a terrible job but I will certainly visit London, I hope so.”

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Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson then released a statement saying: “Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world.

“He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer.

“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his presidency.”

The Right Honourable Sir Sadiq Khan after receiving the Honour of Knighthood during an Investiture ceremony.
Pic: PA
Image:
Sir Sadiq Khan was knighted in June. Pic: PA

They noted that Sir Sadiq has won three mayoral elections, including when Mr Trump lost the US election in 2020.

This is not the first time Mr Trump and Sir Sadiq have locked horns.

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Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer (right) and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan lays a wreath at the 7/7 Memorial, in Hyde Park, London, to mark
Image:
The PM told Mr Trump that Sir Sadiq is a friend of his – seen here laying wreaths for the anniversary of the 7/7 bombings. Pic: PA

During his first presidential term, Mr Trump called the London mayor a “stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London”.

Sir Sadiq then described Mr Trump as a “poster boy for racists”.

And in November 2024, after Mr Trump won his second term, Sir Sadiq said many Londoners would be “fearful” about what it would “mean for democracy”.

However, as Sir Keir tried to show diplomacy with Mr Trump after becoming PM, Sir Sadiq said he “wanted to work closely with the American president” ahead of his inauguration in January.

The London mayor said as somebody “who believes in democracy, and voting and elections, we should recognise the fact that Donald Trump is the elected president of the United States”.

But he added: “Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this president is different from the last time he was president.”

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Trump’s Truth Social Bitcoin ETF among multiple crypto funds delayed by SEC

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Trump’s Truth Social Bitcoin ETF among multiple crypto funds delayed by SEC

Trump’s Truth Social Bitcoin ETF among multiple crypto funds delayed by SEC

The SEC delayed decisions on the Truth Social Bitcoin ETF and Grayscale’s Solana Trust, extending review periods as the US Congress moves with crypto regulation.

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Anti-CBDC bill could curb Fed’s power over digital dollar, sponsor says

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Anti-CBDC bill could curb Fed’s power over digital dollar, sponsor says

Anti-CBDC bill could curb Fed’s power over digital dollar, sponsor says

The US House of Representatives will be in recess for the month of August, but the Senate still has a week of business to address two crypto bills before breaking.

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