The human rights expert explains what stopped the first flight to Rwanda
A cabinet minister has said the government will challenge the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, which grounded the Interior Ministry’s flight to Rwanda last night.
Labor and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said she was “very confident” that the government would be able to pursue its policy of expelling asylum seekers from Rwanda.
“I am sure we will return to the ECHR to challenge this initial ruling,” he said.
It comes after Priti Patel said yesterday’s legal defeats would not stop him from “doing the right thing”.
The Home Secretary added: “Our legal team is reviewing all decisions made on this flight and preparation for the next flight begins now.”
Similarly, a Rwandan government spokesman has said he will not be deterred by Tuesday’s successful legal bids.
“Rwanda remains fully committed to making this partnership work,” said Yolande Makolo, adding: “Rwanda is ready to receive migrants when they arrive and provide them with security and opportunities in our country.”
Key points
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Stop the deportations say all protesters arrested last night have been released
The Stop Deportations campaign group has said all protesters who were detained at last night’s rally have been released.
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 11:37 AM
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More than 50 people landed in Dover today
More than 50 people, including women and children, have landed in Dover.
The Typhoon Border Force ship docked in Dover, Kent this morning and about 38 adults and 15 children were brought ashore.
This is the first rescue in what is expected to be an intense day for migrant crossing attempts due to good weather.
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 11:01 AM
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Cabinet Minister: The UK will challenge the European Court’s decision
Labor and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has said the government will challenge the ECHR ruling that dropped its flight to Rwanda last night.
Speaking to Sky News, he said he was unaware of any move for the UK to abandon the European Convention on Human Rights.
“Right now I am not aware of any decision or even any clue about it,” he said.
Ms Coffey said she hoped the government would challenge an overnight ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that led to the cancellation of the first expulsion flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda.
“The most important thing is that we address this issue right now. I am sure we will return to the ECHR to challenge this initial ruling.”
He added that he was “very confident” that the government would be able to move forward with its policy of expelling asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 10:27 AM
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Highest number of canal crossings since April
A total of 444 people were spotted crossing the English Channel in small boats on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said.
This is the highest number of people since 562 were registered on April 14 at the beginning of the year.
About 11 boats were detected on Tuesday, suggesting that an average of about 40 people crossed the Canal by boat.
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 10:19 AM
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Conservative MP blames asylum seekers for shortage of GPs, school places and low-cost homes
A Conservative MP has blamed asylum seekers for serious problems in the NHS, schools and social housing, 12 years after his party came to power.
Tom Hunt claimed that “uncontrolled illegal immigration” was behind the shortage of GPs, schools and low-cost homes, as he advocated the policy of deporting refugees to Rwanda.
The Ipswich MP was asked if he believed the high cost of the deportations – kept secret by Priti Patel – was “good value for money”, leaving aside the morality of the plan.
Read the full story of Rob Merrick here:
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 10:02 AM
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What is the European Court of Human Rights? Key questions when the flight from Rwanda landed
The court granted an urgent precautionary measure against an Iraqi national on the flight, and it is understood he was considering a number of additional requests.
Appeals were considered by an out-of-hours judge on paper, overturning the UK’s decisions on a number of legal challenges ahead of the scheduled flight.
But what is the European Court of Human Rights?
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 9:47 AM
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The Minister warns that the Ministry of the Interior is already preparing the next flight to Rwanda, but refuses to give the schedule
About four asylum seekers had to board the plane, but a judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) accepted last-minute appeals, in a coup for the government.
Speaking to Sky News, Labor and Pensions Secretary Coffey said ministers were “surprised and disappointed” by the failed ruling of a European Court of Human Rights (EHRC) judge.
Read the full story here:
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 9:36 AM
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The Conservative MP is calling for the UK to withdraw from the ECHR
Conservative MP Greg Smith has called on the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights after a last-minute court ruling barred the Home Office’s deportation flight to Rwanda.
Writing on Twitter, Smith said: “There have been several occasions when this Legislature has passed legislation very quickly.
“What he showed last night is that we now need the same speed and urgency to present a Charter of Rights from the United Kingdom and remove all the power of the European Court of Human Rights over our sovereign decisions.”
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 9:15 p.m.
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David Lammy: The ECHR protects all our rights
Shadow Secretary of State David Lammy has said it was “serious” to suggest that the European Court of Human Rights should not look into UK policy.
He told BBC Breakfast: “Protect all our rights, our rights to privacy, our rights at work, our rights if we are in rental accommodation with landlords, all sorts of things that affect all of our lives.
“And it’s very serious to suggest that these courts should not look at this scheme properly.”
(Getty Images)
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 8:52 AM
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The cabinet minister knows no move for the UK to leave the ECHR
Labor and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has said she is unaware of any move by the UK to abandon the European Convention on Human Rights.
“Right now I’m not aware of any decision or even any clue about it,” he told Sky News.
Ms Coffey said she hoped the government would challenge an overnight ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that led to the cancellation of the first expulsion flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda.
“The most important thing is that we address this issue right now. I am sure we will return to the ECHR to challenge this initial ruling.”
Holly Bancroft June 15, 2022 8:47 AM