Migrant deportation flights could be grounded by 'last minute' legal challenges: Lawyers will try to block one-in one-out returns deal with France, Tories say
Labour's migrant returns deal with France will be hit with a 'slew of last-minute legal challenges', the Conservatives have predicted.
The initial deportation of small-boat migrants is due to take place as early as today.
Ministers are gearing up for the first removal flights this week as part of the 'one in, one out' deal with President Emmanuel Macron's government.
Since the treaty came into effect on August 7, more than 5,400 small-boat migrants have arrived.
Tory home affairs spokesman Chris Philp – who served as an immigration minister in Boris Johnson's government – said Labour's plan would be overwhelmed by late legal action brought on behalf of migrants to prevent them being sent back.
Mr Philp said: 'The Government is too naive to realise this. They have not scrapped the Human Rights Act in immigration matters or, indeed, the use of modern slavery claims as a pretext to stay in Britain, so ministers will find it very hard to remove people in practice.
'What we should do is deport every single illegal immigrant immediately on arrival.'
In June 2022, when the previous Conservative government attempted to mount the first removals flight in its Rwanda asylum deal, it was grounded by a late-night injunction issued by the European Court of Human Rights.
Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Emmanuel Macron (right) announced a 'one in, one out' deal in July
More than 5,400 small-boat migrants have arrived since the treaty came into effect. Pictured: Migrants look on from a dinghy as they prepare to cross the English Channel on August 25
Tory home affairs spokesman Chris Philp (above) said Labour's plan would be overwhelmed by late legal action brought on behalf of migrants
When PM Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Macron announced their 'one in, one out' deal in July it was suggested it would see 50 migrants a week sent back to France.
At that rate, less than 2,000 would be returned before the agreement expires on June 11 next year.
By comparison, 31,026 have arrived so far this year – up 38 per cent on the same period last year.
Government sources insisted the flights will start this week. The Home Office said: 'We expect the first returns to take place imminently.'
Transport Secretary told immigration rates play role in driving test backlog
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has been told the driving test backlog is partly due to a 'substantial' increase in immigration.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency meeting minutes showed officials said 'immigration demand from non-EU countries had increased substantially' during discussions to make her 'aware of the scale of the challenge' to reduce waiting times.
The minutes, obtained by the RAC Foundation via a freedom of information request, outlined how potential measures to tackle the backlog were put to Ms Alexander, including 'immigration options'.
Nationals from countries outside the EU with a full driving licence are entitled to drive in Britain for 12 months. After that they must obtain a British licence by passing the test.
The amount of future tests booked was 644,398 at the end of August.
