Priti Patel said preparation for the next deportation flight to Rwanda 'begins' now after the initial flight was cancelled.
The Home Secretary said she will 'not be deterred from the doing the right thing' after government sources confirmed to the PA news agency that all migrants were removed from the plane which was set to take off last night (Tuesday). Ms Patel said she was 'surprised' by the intervention from the European Court of Human Rights at the last minute and that 'many of those removed from this flight will be placed on the next'.
She said: "Earlier this year, I signed a world-leading Migration Partnership with Rwanda to see those arriving dangerously, illegally, or unnecessarily into the UK relocated to build their lives there. This will help break the people smugglers’ business model and prevent loss of life, while ensuring protection for the genuinely vulnerable.
READ MORE: Rwanda flight grounded after European Court of Human Rights intervenes
"Access to the UK’s asylum system must be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers. The demands on the current system, the cost to the taxpayer, and the flagrant abuses are increasing, and the British public have rightly had enough.
"I have always said this policy will not be easy to deliver and am disappointed that legal challenge and last-minute claims have meant today’s flight was unable to depart. It is very surprising that the European Court of Human Rights has intervened despite repeated earlier success in our domestic courts.
"These repeated legal barriers are similar to those we experience with other removals flights and many of those removed from this flight will be placed on the next. We will not be deterred from doing the right thing and delivering our plans to control our nation’s borders.
"Our legal team are reviewing every decision made on this flight and preparation for the next flight begins now."
Rwandan Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo said: "We are not deterred by these developments. Rwanda remains fully committed to making this partnership work.
"The current situation of people making dangerous journeys cannot continue as it is causing untold suffering to so many. Rwanda stands ready to receive the migrants when they do arrive and offer them safety and opportunity in our country."
The European Court of Human Rights confirmed that it had granted an urgent interim measure in regards to an Iraqi national, and it is understood the Court was considering a number of further requests. PA understands that the appeals were considered by an out-of-hours judge on papers, overruling the UK rulings.
It is understood that, at the present time, there is not a route for the Home Office to appeal against the decision. The European Court has indicated to the UK Government that the Iraqi national should not be removed to Rwanda until three weeks after the delivery of the final domestic decision in his ongoing judicial review proceedings.
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