UK government defeated in Lords over Rwanda bill

The UK government has suffered a defeat in the House of Lords over a bill that would have strengthen trade relations with Rwanda.

Peers voted against the government’s proposal to include provisions in the bill that would have allowed the UK to continue trading with Rwanda without restrictions, despite concerns over human rights abuses in the country.

The defeat is seen as a major blow to the government’s trade plans with African nations, as it may now have to renegotiate the bill to address the concerns raised by the Lords.

Opposition parties have welcomed the defeat, saying that it sends a strong message that the UK will not tolerate human rights abuses in its trade relations.