Controversial 'anti-refugee' UK Borders Bill suffers several defeats in the House of Lords

The UK government’s controversial Nationality and Borders Bill - dubbed the anti-refugee bill - has suffered several defeats in the House of Lords this week. 

Clause 11 of the bill, which would have allowed the UK government to penalise asylum seekers based on their method of arrival to the country, was voted down by 204 peers against and 126 for. 

The Lords also voted to remove Clause 9 during a three-day Report Stage, striking down the UK home secretary’s ability to remove a person's British citizenship without having to notify them if she believed it was in the national interest. 

"A massive victory for everyone who supports refugee rights," wrote Refugee Council on Twitter following the defeat of Clause 11. The amendment had been repeatedly slammed by refugee advocates for criminalising vulnerable people and violating international refugee law. 

"This is a huge win," said NGO Reprieve after Clause 9 was struck down. "MPs must follow suit and strike this discriminatory provision from the Bill."

Once the Borders Bill finishes its Report Stage in the House of Lords, it will return to the UK House of Commons where the government can then accept the changes or challenge them.