Scottish Daily Mail

Priti: Let’s deliver this plan and end traffickin­g trade

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with each grumbling about the other being late for official appointmen­ts.

Allegation­s of tensions between the two men echo reports of the strained relationsh­ip between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher when she was PM.

A union representi­ng Border Force staff and two charities claimed in the high Court in London yesterday that Rwanda was an unsafe country and Miss Patel was exceeding her powers as home Secretary.

But rejecting their applicatio­n for a temporary injunction blocking next week’s first flight, Mr Justice Swift said: ‘It is important for the secretary of state to be able to implement immigratio­n control measures, and preventing that would be prejudicia­l to the public interest.’

he noted there was a ‘need for vigilance’ over the fairness of the Rwandan asylum system, but that was not grounds for scrapping the policy.

The legal challenge was brought by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents thousands of Border Force staff, and the charities Detention Action and Care 4 Calais.

Responding to the ruling, Mr Johnson said: ‘Welcome news from the high Court today. We cannot allow people trafficker­s to put lives at risk and our world-leading partnershi­p will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals.’

Miss Patel, who insists the plan is crucial in preventing further deaths in the Channel, said: ‘I welcome the court’s decision in our favour and will now continue to deliver on progressin­g our world-leading migration partnershi­p.

‘People will continue to try to prevent their relocation through legal challenges and last-minute claims but we will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people-smuggling trade and ultimately save lives.’

home Office insiders conceded their victory was only the ‘first little foothill with many mountains yet to climb’.

The coalition that brought yesterday’s legal challenge was granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal. That hearing is expected on Monday.

A separate applicatio­n for an injunction is due to be heard by the high Court in London on Monday.

Further individual legal challenges are also expected to prevent the home Office from removing migrants, most of whom crossed the Channel since May 1.

More than 90 from a pool of 130 migrants have already submitted claims – principall­y under the ‘right to private and family life’ and modern slavery laws – with more expected between now and Tuesday.

It emerged at yesterday’s hearing that 31 people are due on the first flight and the home Office has agreed to withdraw five migrants from the passenger list.

‘A lot of people were waiting for the high Court ruling. We expect they will all put in individual claims now,’ a government source said. ‘There’s still a very real risk no one can be put on Tuesday’s flight.’

The PCS called for ‘urgent talks’ with Miss Patel about the policy, while a spokesman for Detention Action said: ‘This is only the first step in our legal challenge.’

Charles has been accused of meddling in government affairs before – such as with his ‘black spider’ letters to ministers and other officials, which were made public under freedom of informatio­n laws seven years ago.

But there is no suggestion the Prince was attempting to interfere with policy issues on this occasion.

Known to take a keen interest in Rwandan affairs, he and the Duchess of Cornwall will later this month become the first members of the Royal Family to visit Rwanda, representi­ng the Queen at the Commonweal­th heads of Government Meeting, as well attending events marking the country’s recovery from the 1994 genocide.

Charles has been inspired by Rwandan footballer eric Murangwa, who survived the genocide after being protected by his teammates and has worked with the holocaust Memorial Trust.

A Clarence house spokesman said: ‘We would not comment on supposed anonymous private conversati­ons with the Prince of Wales, except to restate that he remains politicall­y neutral. Matters of policy are decisions for government.’

Sources said they ‘genuinely did not recognise’ the suggestion the heir to the throne had fallen out with the PM.

‘Relationsh­ips are good,’ said an aide, pointing out Mr Johnson had given an ‘incredibly warm’ speech about Charles’s achievemen­ts on the environmen­t at last year’s Cop26 summit in Glasgow.

Sources also said the issue of the Rwandan flights had ‘never’ been raised by the Prince either verbally or in writing with any government minister.

A spokesman for the Government said: ‘Our worldleadi­ng partnershi­p with Rwanda will see those making dangerous, unnecessar­y and illegal journeys to the UK relocated there to have their claims considered and rebuild their lives.’

‘Many mountains yet to climb’

‘We will not be deterred’

 ?? ?? Making their points: PM Boris Johnson and Prince Charles in conversati­on
Making their points: PM Boris Johnson and Prince Charles in conversati­on

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