The Government faces a fresh legal challenge over its migrant returns deal with France just hours after celebrating the first deportation under the scheme. A High Court hearing will take place at 4pm on Thursday concerning a potential deportation under the agreement designed to remove Channel crossing migrants back to the continent.
The legal challenge comes as the Home Office confirmed a man who arrived by small boat in August was deported to France on Thursday morning. Further flights are scheduled for this week and next week, while the first arrivals under the new legal route are expected in the coming days.
This marks the second legal challenge against the Home Office's deal to reach the High Court. On Tuesday, Mr Justice Sheldon granted an Eritrean man interim relief before his Wednesday morning flight to France, giving him 14 days to make representations supporting his modern slavery claim.
Government defends deportation policy
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (Labour) described the first removal as an "important first step to securing our borders". She said: "It sends a message to people crossing in small boats: if you enter the UK illegally, we will seek to remove you."
Mahmood added: "I will continue to challenge any last-minute, vexatious attempts to frustrate a removal in the courts. The UK will always play its part in helping those genuinely fleeing persecution, but this must be done through safe, legal and managed routes - not dangerous crossings."
Opposition questions effectiveness
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp questioned whether "we are supposed to celebrate one solitary return?". He demanded: "Labour must come clean. Was this removal voluntary? How many are we taking from France? And how much taxpayers' money has already been wasted on empty flights?"
Philp claimed: "Only the Conservatives have a clear plan to deport all illegal arrivals, close the loopholes exploited by activist lawyers, and put in place a real deterrent through our Deportation Bill. Without that, the crossings will never stop."
Modern slavery policy overhaul
The Home Office has revised its policy on modern slavery decisions following Mahmood's criticism that the legislation was being used to make a "mockery of our laws". Anyone being removed to a safe country can no longer appeal National Referral Mechanism decisions from the UK.
Instead, appeals must be made via judicial review from another country such as France. A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are also reviewing the UK's modern slavery system to stop irregular migrants from misusing the system whilst ensuring we have the right protections for those who need it."
Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Eleanor Lyons criticised Mahmood's comments, warning they put vulnerable lives at risk. She told BBC Radio 4 that the Home Secretary's words "have a real-life impact on victims of exploitation, who may now be more scared to come forward and talk about what's happened to them". Parliamentary select committees have investigated the issue and "they found there's no misuse of the system".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
