The Home Office will lodge an appeal on Thursday against a High Court decision that temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean man under the UK-France migrants returns deal. The move represents the Government's determination to defend its "one in, one out" agreement with Paris.
The unnamed man had been scheduled to board a flight at 9am on Wednesday but remained in the UK after a judge granted him interim relief. He now has 14 days to prove his claim that he was a victim of modern slavery.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood issued a strongly worded response to the court's decision. "Last-minute attempts to frustrate a removal are intolerable, and I will fight them at every step," she said. "I will fight to end vexatious, last-minute claims. I will robustly defend the British public's priorities in any court. And I will do whatever it takes to secure our border."
She added that migrants making claims on the "eve of their removal, having never made such a claim before, make a mockery of our laws and this country's generosity."
Government defence
Senior Treasury minister James Murray rejected suggestions that Labour had forgotten its values when questioned by broadcasters on Thursday morning. "No, not at all. What's driving this is what's important to the British people," the Chief Secretary to the Treasury told Sky News.
He defended the Government's approach to migration policy. "As a Government, we're responding to what's important to people in the UK… and people are right to feel angry about the level of illegal migration," Murray said. "People are right to feel they want hotels to close. People are right to feel they want the Government to do more on this, and that's exactly why we're doing more on this."
The returns deal came into force last month after being agreed with Paris in July as part of efforts to deter rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel. The Government has yet to deport any migrants under the arrangement, with reports suggesting the first flights departed without any migrants on board on Monday and Tuesday.
Legal proceedings
Lawyers acting for the Eritrean man argued the case "concerns a trafficking claim" and said he faces a risk of "destitution" in France. The Home Office defended its position, maintaining it was reasonable to expect the man to claim asylum in France.
Mr Justice Sheldon ruled on Tuesday evening that significant legal questions needed examination. "It seems to me there is a serious issue to be tried with respect to the trafficking claim and whether or not the Secretary of State has carried out her investigatory duties in a lawful manner," he said. However, he noted it did not appear there was a "real risk" the man would "suffer destitution if he was to be returned to France."
The Home Secretary is also reviewing modern slavery legislation to explore whether it is open to misuse. Under the deal, the UK will send back asylum seekers who have crossed the Channel in exchange for those who apply and are approved to come to Britain, though France has reportedly said it will only accept a small initial contingent.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
