Migrants being held in detention centers in the UK before they are sent to Rwanda could be released if legal action means the first deportation flight is delayed.
Up to 130 people have been notified they could be removed on the inaugural flight due to take off on Tuesday. But lawyers for more than 90 migrants have already submitted legal challenges asking to stay in the UK with the rest expected to follow suit this week.
Care4Calais, the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) and Detention Action are seeking a judicial review of the Rwanda scheme – which they have described as “unlawful” – in the High Court, with a hearing due on Friday.
The wave of legal action has cast doubt on whether the first flight will go ahead as planned.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We remain confident in our position, should the legal challenges require us going to the courts we will argue our case. It’s true to say the first flight is due for next week so we have that ready to go.”
(GBN)
