First Rwanda jet now delayed until November

IMMIGRATION barristers have delayed the first asylum seekers’ flight to Rwanda until November – and possibly next year.

A number of charities, a trade union and individual migrants who crossed the Channel by dinghy or hidden in lorries are together contesting the policy of deporting ‘irregular’ refugees to Rwanda.

Those who arrive by clandestine means are supposed to be flown to Africa to seek asylum there. But a ruling in June by a single judge at the European Court of Human Rights halted the first flight.

A judicial review was due to conclude today but barristers fighting the Home Office successfully adjourned the hearing after raising fresh concerns over human rights.

Yesterday, the judges hearing the case at London’s Royal Courts of Justice ruled the challenges to the flights will be heard at hearings in September and in mid-October.

The judgments will be delivered together, possibly weeks later.

Even if the rulings are in favour of the Government scheme, appeals could then push back the first flight to next year.

Last night a source in the coalition opposing the policy said: ‘It is very unlikely that any more could be scheduled before the UK courts have decided whether the policy is lawful, with a first judgment now not expected until October at the earliest – and possibly appeals not concluding until 2023.’

A Home Office spokesman last night said: ‘Planning for the next flight has begun.’ n The Border Force is ‘escorting’ illegal migrants to the UK, a report found yesterday. Alexander Downer, the former Australian immigration minister, reviewed the British security body and found it is ‘effectively rescuing’ migrants in small boats.

His report said the Government should turn boats around ‘when it is safe and legal to do so’.