The deportation of an Eritrean man to France, scheduled under the Labour government’s “one-in, one-out” scheme, has been halted following a High Court challenge. This marks the first instance of an individual successfully challenging the new removal scheme in court, with initial removal flights earlier in the week also cancelled.
Mr Justice Sheldon paused the man’s scheduled removal after a court hearing determined that his claims of being a victim of trafficking required further investigation. The Home Office had opposed the halt, suggesting that evidence supporting the trafficking claim could be gathered from France.
Representing the unnamed man, Sonali Naik KC argued there was a “real risk of destitution” if he were removed to France, citing evidence that approximately one-third of asylum seekers there are not accommodated and receive a daily allowance of €7.50. While the judge granted “a short period of interim relief” for investigation, he expressed doubt regarding the likelihood of destitution.
Following the judicial decision, the Conservative Party described Labour’s returns agreement with France as “another failed gimmick.”
Source: www.theguardian.com