Judge refuses to halt Home Office Rwanda plan, disagreeing with lawyers from Cherie Blair’s chambers – Daily Mail
Campaigners and lawyers from Cherie Blair’s old chambers have lost a High Court bid to block the Government’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda, paving the way for the first flight to go ahead on Tuesday.
Migrants due to be given a one-way ticket to the east African nation as part of Home Secretary Priti Patel’s bid to curb Channel crossings, as well as campaign groups and a union, had asked judges to block their upcoming deportation f…….
Campaigners and lawyers from Cherie Blair’s old chambers have lost a High Court bid to block the Government’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda, paving the way for the first flight to go ahead on Tuesday.
Migrants due to be given a one-way ticket to the east African nation as part of Home Secretary Priti Patel’s bid to curb Channel crossings, as well as campaign groups and a union, had asked judges to block their upcoming deportation flight.
Judge Mr Justice Swift ruled against the claim and said: ‘I do not consider that the balance of convivence favours the grant of the generic relief.’
Home Secretary Priti Patel told MailOnline: ‘I welcome the court’s decision in our favour and will now continue to deliver on progressing our world-leading Migration Partnership.
‘People will continue to try and prevent their relocation through legal challenges and last-minute claims but we will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people smuggling trade and ultimately save lives.
‘Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees – we will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings.’
Lawyers from Cherie Blair’s old chambers had branded the Rwanda deportation scheme ‘unsafe and irrational’ – as the Home Office urged a judge to refuse an injunction seeking to ground flights.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army (FARDC) fired two rockets at Rwanda this morning, the country’s military said.
The Rwanda Defence Force said the FARDC fired two 12mm rockets today, leaving locals ‘terrified’.
There were no casualties but it comes after similar shelling on March 19 and May 23 that injured people and destroyed homes.
Protestors stand outside The Royal Court of Justice in London today ahead of a major legal challenge to Priti Patel’s Rwanda policy
Their legal team being led by top QCs Raza Husain and Chris Buttler – both from Matrix – a chamber of liberal barristers’ co-founded by Cherie Blair. She left in 2014
Up to 130 migrants have been notified they could be removed, with the first 31 people due to leave on the first flight on Tuesday.
Lawyers for almost 100 migrants have submitted legal challenges asking to stay in the UK with the remaining anticipated to follow suit this week.
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) is leading the case alongside charities Care 4 Calais and Detention Action. The groups say the policy is unlawful and LGBT …….
