13 July 2023 , 14:17
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Ministers have been given the go-ahead to challenge a ruling that the Rwanda deportation scheme is unlawful.
The Government was given the green light to bring the case to the Supreme Court in the latest twist in the long-running saga.
Rishi Sunak is under intense pressure to drop the controversial project after top judges last month ruled it was unlawful because the central African nation isn't a safe place to send refugees.
But the PM vowed to fight on, with the Government having already handed over £140million to Rwanda and built up more than £1.3million in legal costs.
In a bombshell ruling the Court of Appeal said flaws in the Rwandan asylum system meant there was a "real risk" that those sent there could be sent back to their homelands to face persecution. The project, unveiled by former Home Secretary Priti Patel more than 14 months ago, has yet to see a single person deported.
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Critics say the scheme won't tackle small boat crossings (AFP via Getty Images)Critics have branded the deportation scheme "cruel" and "immoral", while experts have questioned whether it would make any difference to small boat arrivals.
Home Office figures have revealed it would cost the UK a staggering £169,000 per person flown to Rwanda.
Following the Court of Appeal's decision Home Secretary Suella Braverman whined that "the system is rigged against the British people."
After last month's ruling, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Time and again, ministers have gone for gimmicks instead of getting a grip, and slogans instead of solutions, while the Tory boats chaos has got worse.
"The Rwanda scheme is unworkable, unethical and extortionate, a costly and damaging distraction from the urgent action the government should be taking."
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