Hunt may join Tory rebels to back genocide amendment

CONSERVATIVE rebels are in a “straight fight” with whips over a handful of Tory MPs who could inflict a major defeat on the Government over the Trade Bill.

Jeremy Hunt, the former foreign secretary, is poised to become the highest profile rebel to switch sides in the knifeedge vote on a genocide amendment to the Trade Bill. After weeks of toing and froing over the amendment, between the rebels led by Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the whips, the measure will be put to a vote tomorrow.

If the Government loses and has to accept the amendment it will force ministers to justify to Parliament why it has signed trade deals with genocidal regimes.

The amendment has attracted support from Tory MPs who are mistrustful about the Government’s plans to forge closer links with China which is accused by the US of committing genocide against the Uighur people.

The possible defeat could throw a trade deal with China into doubt. In January, 33 Tory MPs rebelled on a similar amendment and the Tory rebels now say they are just five or six MPs short of defeating the Government.

One source close to the rebels said it was now “a straight fight” with the Government.

A friend of Mr Hunt said he would either abstain or vote for the amendment, saying: “This might be the last chance to get the genocide amendment. Jeremy feels the Government has not listened to the legitimate concerns.”

However one senior Government source told The Sunday Telegraph: “They have overcooked the whole thing. Our majority will go up not down.”