The UK government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda has suffered a setback, with the first flight now expected to be delayed until at least December. Home Secretary Suella Braverman had previously promised that flights would begin in September, but a legal challenge has caused the delay. The Supreme Court will fast-track the case when they return from their summer holiday in October, with the whole process expected to be completed within six weeks.
Supreme Court to Fast-Track Case
The Supreme Court will hear the case on the legality of the scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The Court of Appeal had previously ruled the plan "unlawful" in June, citing concerns about the safety of migrants being deported to potentially dangerous countries. However, the government is confident of overturning the decision and hopes to win the case.
Flights Could Begin by Christmas
If the government is successful in the Supreme Court, flights to Rwanda could potentially begin by Christmas. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made stopping illegal immigration a key part of his campaign, and the government is keen to implement this plan as soon as possible. However, there is still a possibility that campaigners and charities could take the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which would cause further delays.
Risks of Grounded Flights Until After Election
If the case is taken to the European Court of Human Rights, it could take months for a final judgment to be made. This would risk grounding the flights until after the next election, potentially causing further political complications for the government. Despite this setback, the Prime Minister has indicated that other countries are considering similar solutions to address the issue of illegal immigration.
