Controversial Rwanda deportation flights look likely to be grounded until at least September amid court delays.
However the Home Office has not ruled out further attempts to remove asylum seekers to central Africa as part of a policy which has caused a massive outcry.
Last month a plane carrying asylum seekers was stopped at the eleventh hour following an intervention by the European Court of Human Rights.
The proposed deportations, announced in April, are set to come under the microscope as Tory leadership hopefuls slug it out for the top job.
All appear to back the policy and one, Jeremy Hunt, suggested he would expand it to include other countries.
The High Court had been set to hear appeals against the move next Tuesday, but yesterday it was announced that this has been delayed until September.
In the meantime Government sources reportedly say there is "zero chance" of any flights to Rwanda taking off, as this would generate too much controversy during the leadership campaign.
Lame duck PM Boris Johnson is no longer in a position to push through major policy changes after he announced his resignation on Thursday.
Insiders told The Times there is "zero chance" of deportation flights to Rwanda taking off during the contest.
Charities opposing the "brutal" decision to send asylum seekers to Rwanda were yesterday granted an application to adjourn the case until September.
They argue that the Government's plans put lives at risk, and say it is unlawful.
Campaign group Detention Action said after the delay was confirmed: "Until the lawfulness of the policy is fully tested in the courts, this Government should not attempt any forced removals to Rwanda, as they have threatened.
"We also call for all people seeking asylum targeted by this policy to be released from detention, with proper support."
Clare Moseley, who founded Care4Calais, said: "The Rwanda plan is brutal. We are currently working with more than 20 people who have been detained and issued with Rwanda notices since the last court case, and many of those from last time remain detained, exhausted and alone, and terrified for what the future might bring.
"These people have suffered some of the very worst things that can happen on this planet. They have appalling physical and mental scars, and now face the threat of further extreme trauma."
The Home Office has said it expected legal challenges to the plans, but said it remains committed to bringing the scheme to fruition.
A spokesperson said: “We remain committed to our world-leading Migration Partnership with Rwanda, which will see those arriving dangerously, illegally, or unnecessarily into the UK relocated to rebuild their lives.
“This is vital to prevent loss of life in the Channel and break the business model of people smugglers. No court has actually ruled that this partnership is unlawful, and that includes the European Court of Human Rights.”
At the weekend leadership contender Mr Hunt said he would investigate expanding the policy to include other countries.
He wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: “I hope we could find some other countries as well as Rwanda,
