Keir Starmer faced a significant setback following a High Court ruling preventing the deportation of an Eritrean man to France on Wednesday. The individual, unnamed for legal reasons, was slated for removal under the UK government’s “one in, one out” initiative. He lodged a legal challenge against the Home Office to halt his deportation.
Initially scheduled for a flight to France at 9am on Wednesday, the man received a temporary reprieve from removal. The Home Office justified the deportation, citing it as reasonable for the man, who arrived post-Channel crossing, to seek asylum in France.
In a recent development, Mr. Justice Sheldon granted a short period of interim relief, emphasizing the need to maintain the current situation. He ordered that the man not be deported at 9am the following day, pending further representations on his trafficking case.
The court’s decision followed a directive from the national referral mechanism (NRM), prompting the man to provide additional representations. A pilot scheme established with France aimed to address small boat crossings, resulting in initial detentions and subsequent placement in an immigration removal center.
Despite the legal proceedings, Downing Street anticipated imminent deportations, with the Prime Minister’s spokesperson refraining from detailed operational disclosures. The man’s legal counsel highlighted concerns about the risk of destitution he might face if returned to France, emphasizing the vulnerability due to alleged health issues and lack of adequate support for asylum seekers in France.
The Home Office countered these claims, pointing out the UK-France agreement’s broader public safety objectives in curbing dangerous Channel crossings. The agreement aimed at addressing the severe risks associated with small boat journeys across the English Channel, stressing the critical importance of the bilateral initiative.
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