Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, said the government will do “whatever is required”, even if that means pulling out of the ECHR, the 70-year-old pan-European treaty that protects human rights and political freedoms in the continent.
However, ahead of an election, the Conservatives could dial up their rhetoric against the ECHR in order to create a dividing line with Labour.
The government’s plan to send some migrants to Rwanda for processing of their asylum claims is still facing a supreme court battle.
Jenrick gave his assessment as he announced the government has struck a deal with Turkey to focus on coordinated actions to “disrupt and dismantle” people-smuggling gangs.
On Tuesday night, the government announced the establishment of an operational “centre of excellence” by the Turkish national police and supported by the UK.
The centre would aim to strengthen collaboration between the National Crime Agency and Home Office intelligence staff based in Turkey and their Turkish counterparts, the British government said.