Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed strong dissatisfaction following the High Court’s decision to halt the removal of an asylum seeker to France. The Eritrean individual was scheduled for deportation on Wednesday morning but received a temporary reprieve after initiating a legal challenge. He was slated to be the first person arriving by small boat to be deported under the new ‘one in one out’ arrangement.
Mahmood vowed to vigorously oppose the ruling, stating, “Last-minute efforts to obstruct a deportation are unacceptable, and I will contest them at every turn.” She criticized migrants who claim to be modern slaves just before their removal, accusing them of exploiting the system and the country’s generosity.
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed for legal reasons, was supposed to board a flight to France at 9 am on Wednesday. However, Mr. Justice Sheldon ruled in favor of granting him interim relief, giving him a 14-day window to challenge his deportation.
Representing the unnamed man, Sonali Naik KC informed the High Court that the individual faces a genuine risk of destitution if sent to France. Naik highlighted that the case revolves around a trafficking claim, with the man alleging he is vulnerable due to a gunshot wound in his leg.
According to the Home Office, the man traveled to Italy in April before entering the UK via France last month. The court learned that approximately one-third of asylum seekers in France are not provided with accommodation and receive a daily allowance of 7.50 euros.
Despite the setback, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall affirmed that the decision would not impede the overall implementation of the agreement. The deal, established post-Brexit, allows for the return of individuals arriving by small boat to France. It marks the first return agreement between the two nations since Brexit, with a reciprocal arrangement in place for legitimate claims to enter the UK.
Initially limited to around 50 individuals per week, the UK government aims to potentially increase this figure in the future.