First UK deportation flight to Rwanda could take off in June, court papers suggest

Rishi Sunak’s deportation flights to Rwanda, a central component of the government’s immigration strategy, could commence as early as June 24th, according to court documents obtained by the Guardian. While initial indications from government sources suggested that these flights, transporting asylum seekers, would begin in July, a recent court order has revealed the possibility of flights starting in late June. This significant development emerged in a court order issued by Mr. Justice Chamberlain, who is presiding over a legal challenge by the FDA union against the government’s policy.

Government lawyers had previously informed the court in May that the earliest removals were expected between July 1st and 15th, 2024. However, a clarification issued by government lawyers now states that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement during an April 22nd press conference indicated that the first flight would depart in 10 to 12 weeks. Accordingly, the 10th week after April 22nd commences on June 24th, making it the earliest possible date for the first removals. The precise timing of these flights will depend on operational considerations and progress over the ensuing weeks.

The date of these flights has been closely guarded within Whitehall to mitigate legal challenges and potential disruptions from campaigners. Meanwhile, dozens of asylum seekers have been detained over the past 12 days. Ministers aim to avoid legal challenges concerning the timing of the flights, as well as potential attempts by campaigners to block transport to and from airfields.

The FDA union is challenging the government’s Rwanda policy on the grounds that it is unlawful, as it requires civil servants to disregard injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights and potentially violate international law, thereby breaching the civil service code.

Keir Starmer announced on Friday that he would immediately halt Rwanda flights upon assuming office. However, a Labour government would not repatriate individuals already deported to the African country. Starmer emphasized that Sunak is likely to initiate flights before the general election and asserted that the policy would not effectively deter Channel crossings. He pledged to redirect funding from the Rwanda scheme, estimated to cost £541 million over five years, to establish a new border security command comprising specialist enforcement officers and investigators.

In a warning to smuggling gangs, Starmer declared that British shores would become hostile territory for them. He affirmed the commitment to locating and halting smugglers while protecting their victims through the border security command, thus ensuring the security of Britain’s borders.

Provisional figures from the Home Office reveal that 211 individuals made the journey from France to the UK on Thursday in three boats. This suggests an average of about 70 people per boat and brings the provisional total for Channel crossings in 2024 to 9,037. This represents a 35% increase compared to this time last year and a 16% rise compared with the same period in 2022, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by irregular migration across the English Channel.