UK judge blocks plan to return migrant to France
London, September 18 (Hibya) – A UK judge has temporarily blocked the government’s plan to return an asylum seeker who crossed the English Channel to France, delaying the first deportation under the agreement between London and Paris.
The ruling dealt a blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to stop people crossing the Channel in small boats from France.
The 25-year-old Eritrean migrant was scheduled to leave the UK on Wednesday on a commercial flight.
But following an appeal by his lawyers, High Court judge Clive Sheldon granted a “short interim measure” to allow the man to present evidence that he is a victim of human trafficking.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s lawyers argued that the man, whose identity cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, could and should apply for asylum in France.
The judge said: “There appears to be a serious issue to be tried regarding the human trafficking allegation and whether the Foreign Secretary lawfully carried out her investigative duties.”
The ruling poses a setback to PM Starmer’s efforts to stop Channel crossings by small boats from France.
Mahmood said the government would appeal the decision. Despite the ruling, the first deportations to France are still expected this week.
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