![\"Rishi](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/5F8F\/production\/_132036442_gettyimages-1809728430.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPrime Minister Rishi Sunak has seen off a Tory rebellion over his flagship Rwanda bill but still faces a battle to get it through Parliament. <\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The legislation comfortably passed its first Commons hurdle with a majority of 44, but there will be further votes in the new year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No Tory MPs voted against but some critics on the right of the party rebelled by abstaining.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Rebels said they had been told the PM would consider “tightening” the bill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But this could risk losing the support of more centrist Tory MPs, who have warned they would oppose any future changes which would breach international law. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The emergency legislation was drawn up to revive the government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The scheme is designed to deter migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats – something Mr Sunak has made a key priority of his government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Despite some Tories on the right threatening to vote against the bill, in the end only opposition MPs did, and the bill passed by 313 votes to 269. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some 37 Tory MPs – including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, who both resigned over the legislation – did not record a vote. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The majority of these come from factions who earlier said they could not support the bill and are likely to have deliberately abstained. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n However, others may have been unable to attend to vote. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n