London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Unions call for delay to Rwanda policy until legal position fully tested

Unions call for delay to Rwanda policy until legal position fully tested

Appeal against plan to remove asylum seekers who arrive in the UK via unofficial routes due to take place on Monday
Protests have taken place before a possible first flight removing asylum seekers to Rwanda, as unions said that officials should not be asked to take part in a policy that may subsequently be declared illegal.

With the first flight in the deportation scheme scheduled to take place on Tuesday evening, activists also promised to target the Spanish charter airline understood to be providing the aircraft.

A high court judge ruled on Friday that he would not halt the first deportations to Rwanda of individuals who had arrived in Britain via unofficial routes, but an appeal against his decision is due on Monday.

Hundreds of people, including representatives of campaign groups and religious organisations, gathered in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square on Sunday to protest against the flight, which speakers described as obscene, also citing criticism from Prince Charles, who reportedly called the scheme appalling.

More protesters gathered outside Brook House immigration removal centre close to Gatwick, carrying placards.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, which represents more than 80% of Border Force staff, said he was hopeful the appeal would stop the flight, adding that Priti Patel, the home secretary, should not implement the policy before its legal position was fully tested.

He told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: “Imagine if you’re a civil servant now in the Home Office, who goes to work because you want to see a humane immigration system where people are treated fairly and we comply with our international obligations.

“Imagine if you’re told to do something on Tuesday, that in July is subsequently found to be illegal. That would be an appalling situation.

“I mean, if Priti Patel had any respect, not just for the desperate people who come to this country, but for the workers she employs, she would not ask a single one of them to be part of any deportation of any asylum seeker, until at least these cases are heard in court for the full legality judgment, which will be in July.”

The Home Office has said it is engaging with staff, but is stressing their responsibility of civil servants under the civil service code to serve the government of the day.

A Spanish airline is understood to be undertaking the deportation flight on behalf of the Home Office. According to Civil Aviation Authority records, Privilege Style has been granted a permit to fly to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on Tuesday at 9.30pm from Stansted airport in Essex.

Activists opposed to the flight said they would lobby the company. Karen Doyle of Movement for Justice said it would be “morally reprehensible” for the airline to undertake the flight. Privilege Style was contacted for comment.

The judge in Friday’s court hearing, Mr Justice Swift, refused to grant “interim relief” after an injunction application was made by some of the asylum seekers facing deportation to Rwanda.

The decision will not stop individual refugees from further legal challenges to their removal or a judicial review of the policy, which Swift said could take six weeks.

The policy is intended to deter people from using unofficial routes such as crossing the Channel in small boats to enter the UK and claim asylum. The numbers of people doing so has not yet dropped, but Downing Street says the impact will only be seen when the policy is fully up and running.

Critics argue that the relatively small numbers who could be sent to Rwanda will not put people off, and that the fact people with children will not be deported will simply provide an incentive to take minors on the boats.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×