Keir Starmer faced a significant setback following a High Court ruling preventing the deportation of an Eritrean man to France on Wednesday. The man, unidentified for legal reasons, was slated for removal under the Government’s “one in, one out” initiative. He has initiated legal action against the Home Office to halt his deportation.
Initially scheduled for a flight to France at 9 am on Wednesday, the man received a temporary reprieve. The Home Office argued that it was reasonable to expect him, having arrived after crossing the Channel, to seek asylum in France.
Mr. Justice Sheldon, on Tuesday evening, granted a brief period of interim relief, aiming to maintain the current situation. He ordered the man not be deported the following day at 9 am but return to court promptly to address further representations related to his trafficking decision.
The court’s decision followed an announcement from the national referral mechanism (NRM), prompting the man to provide additional representations. A new pilot scheme, agreed upon with the French government in July to combat small boat crossings, has led to initial detentions with individuals held at an immigration removal center awaiting deportation.
Despite the legal proceedings, Downing Street reiterated the imminent start of deportations, avoiding detailed operational disclosures. The man’s legal representative highlighted the risk of destitution if he is sent to France, emphasizing the unresolved issue of potential destitution upon return.
The case revolves around trafficking claims, with the man asserting vulnerability due to a gunshot wound in his leg. Reports revealed that a significant portion of asylum seekers in France lack accommodation and receive a daily allowance of 7.50 euros.
The Home Office’s representative mentioned the man’s previous travels to Italy and France before reaching the UK, stating that he had opportunities for asylum claim support. The UK-France agreement aims to address the pressing issue of fatalities resulting from small boat crossings in the English Channel.
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