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2d ago

Third Day of Empty UK–France Deportation Flights as Court Blocks First Removal

Legal challenges over trafficking claims have exposed the scheme’s vulnerability to last‑minute court action.

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A general view of the Royal Courts of Justice, more commonly known as the High Court, in London, Britain November 2, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
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Overview

  • An Air France 9am service from Heathrow to Paris departed without any deportees for a third consecutive day, leaving the pilot returns scheme yet to remove anyone.
  • The High Court granted a 25-year-old Eritrean interim relief over a trafficking claim, with the judge saying there is a serious issue to be tried regarding the Home Office’s investigatory duties.
  • Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said the ruling is intolerable, confirmed an appeal, and vowed to fight last‑minute modern slavery claims while insisting removals will still begin this week.
  • Campaign groups have targeted Air France and supported legal bids invoking the National Referral Mechanism and ECHR rights, as roughly 100 detainees have been earmarked for removal and small‑boat arrivals this year have topped 31,000.
  • Officials say the reciprocal part of the deal is set to start, with reports that the UK will accept the first approved arrivals from France on Saturday and France expecting the first returns under the treaty this week, as UNHCR offers a cautious welcome contingent on rights being upheld.