Boris Johnson avoids rebels' defeat as amendment to reverse UK aid cuts is deemed 'out of scope'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson avoided defeat in the House of Commons on Monday when an amendment to reverse UK aid cuts by 2022 was deemed "out of scope" by the House Speaker. 

The amendment was part of a cross-party rebellion against the government's plans to slash overseas development assistance from 0.7 percent to 0.5 percent of the UK’s gross national income, a reduction of around £4 billion. 

House of Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, deemed the amendment out of the scope of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) Bill, while senior clerks warned it could set a precedent for MPs to hijack budgets. 

Andrew Mitchell, who led the Tory rebellion, which included former Prime Minister Theresa May, had assured the Commons that the amendment would have secured enough votes to pass and would save many lives. 

"Hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths will result," said Mitchell after hearing the Speaker's decision. 

"The government front bench are treating the House of Commons with disrespect.

"In the opinion of some of Britains leading lawyers, the government is acting unlawfully."

The rebels are now exploring other options, including legal action, to reverse the aid cuts, according to media. 

The clash between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and MPs from his own party come as the UK prepares to host the G7.

World leaders from the seven largest advanced economies will join the prime minister in Cornwall over the weekend, discussing how to provide global solutions to social, political, environmental, and economic issues.

Mitchell said the decision was "already attracting criticism from all round the other members of the G7".