UK-Rwanda flight for asylum seekers to go ahead after Court of Appeal challenge fails

Evening Standard ^ | June 14 | By Tristan Kirk

[RandFan]

The government’s first controversial flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda is set to go ahead on Tuesday after a legal bid to block it failed.

Home Secretary Priti Patel scored a victory in the High Court on Friday when a judge concluded it was in her power to fly asylum seekers to the east African state.

A last-ditch challenge was mounted in the Court of Appeal on Monday, as refugee charities, a union, and one of the people to be sent to east Africa argued the policy is unlawful.

But three judges ultimately dismissed the bid, and the first flight is scheduled to depart on Tuesday.

The decision sparked protests outside the Home Office in London. Filippo Grandi, the UN. high commissioner for refugees, lashed out against the policy, describing it as "all wrong."

Delivering the decision on Monday, Lord Justice Singh said the original judge, Mr Justice Swift, had delivered an “impressive” judgment and had reached conclusions that were “reasonable open to him on the material before him”.

“We don’t accept it is for this court to go behind the judge’s assessment of the evidence”, he said.

“Although he had limited time to consider the evidence, he had the advantage of seeing it all and had a day’s hearing on Friday.”

The judge noted that the Rwanda policy would be under intense scrutiny as it takes effect, with a full hearing of its legality due at the end of July.

At court, lawyers led by Raza Husain QC argued that a hurried implementation of the Rwanda policy could have lasting financial implications if anyone is wrongly flown to Rwanda and has to be brought back to the UK.

[UMCRevMom@aol.com]

Great Britain returning illegals
[Trump had been doing that back in the day]

[BobL]

Rwanda is a very diverse country and the UK will soon-enough not look much different - so why the big fight to not go there?

[Dogbert41]

There was an official genocide in Rwanda, back when Hillary was Queen. I’m sure they have good reason to never go back.

[toddausauras]

Get that plane in the air and get them out we need a win

[Mark17]

I wonder if the people will riot, rather than get on the aircraft?

[ridesthemiles]

Send Royal Charles along as the flight steward.

[rottweiller_inc]

I think that’s a swell idea, I think that all asylum-seekers to United States should be put on Martha’s Vineyard, until their asylum claims can be reviewed.