High Court Blocks Deportation Deal With France in Last Minute Ruling

Keir Starmer’s much-touted “one in one out” deal with France has hit a wall after an Eritrean man won a last-minute High Court challenge to stop his deportation from the UK.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to be put on a flight to France at 9am on Wednesday. But late on Tuesday, a judge granted him what was described as a “short period of interim relief”, allowing him to stay in Britain while his case continues.

His lawyers argued the case involves a trafficking claim, saying he is a vulnerable individual who risks falling into “destitution” if forced back to France. They also said he suffers from a gunshot wound. The Home Office rejected this, insisting it was reasonable for him to seek asylum in France instead, reported the Express.

Mr Justice Sheldon, who made the ruling, told the court: “It seems to me there is a serious issue to be tried with respect to the trafficking claim and whether or not the Secretary of State has carried out her investigatory duties in a lawful manner.”

While he said the evidence didn’t show there was a “real risk” of destitution in France, he added that the case needed to return to court “as soon as is reasonably practical” once further representations had been made on the trafficking claim.

The ruling has thrown the government’s deal into doubt and sparked an immediate political row.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch gave a sharp four-word reaction, saying she had told Labour ministers “we told you so”. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp dismissed the returns deal as “another failed gimmick from this weak Government”.

He went further, recalling his exchange in Parliament earlier this week. “On Monday I told the new Home Secretary in Parliament that unless they disapply the Human Rights Act for immigration cases, their meagre returns deal would collapse in court. She refused to listen, and here is the predictable result”, reported the Independent.

Nigel Farage also waded in, accusing the government of misleading the public about its immigration promises. The Reform UK leader said: “Even if the policy worked, one in, one out, and with another one in, still means plus one for everyone that crosses the Channel.”

The decision will now test the strength of the government’s pledge to speed up removals and reduce small boat crossings. For critics, the blocked flight is already proof that the flagship policy is in trouble. For ministers, the fight is far from over as they prepare to defend their plans in court.