Britain intends to begin deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda on July 24, a government lawyer said on Monday, although the hotly contested scheme is dependent on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party winning the upcoming election.

Sending asylum seekers who have arrived in Britain without permission to Rwanda is one of Sunak's flagship policies, but legal and parliamentary obstacles have meant it has never got off the ground.

Sunak has said the deportation flights will not leave before the July 4 election but has promised if he wins they would begin soon after. The opposition Labour Party, leading by about 20 points in opinion polls, has pledged to scrap the plan if elected.

In documents submitted to the London High Court as part of a challenge to the policy by charity Asylum Aid, government lawyers said the intention was "to effect removals with a flight to Rwanda on 23 July 2024 (and not before)."

Watch:&nbsp;UK: Rwanda bill showdown in Parliament, calls for concessions for Afghans

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However, government lawyer Edward Brown later told the court that an "operational update" from the Home Office (interior ministry) said the first flight would in fact leave on July 24.

The scheme - first drawn up by one of Sunak's predecessors, Boris Johnson, in 2022 - aims to deter asylum seekers making the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats from France.

Last November, the UK Supreme Court declared the policy unlawful, prompting Sunak to sign a new treaty with the East African country and to pass new legislation to override this.

Asylum Aid's lawyer Charlotte Kilroy said the date earmarked for the flight was "news to us". The judge, Martin Chamberlain, remarked: "This is all going to be subject to the outcome of the general election, but we obviously cannot make any predictions about that."

The numbers of asylum seekers crossing the Channel has risen to record numbers this year, with more than 10,000 people arriving so far, after numbers fell by a third in 2023.

Britain intends to begin deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda on July 24, a government lawyer said on Monday, although the hotly contested scheme is dependent on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party winning the upcoming election.

Britain intends to begin deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda on July 24, a government lawyer said on Monday, although the hotly contested scheme is dependent on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party winning the upcoming election. Sending asylum seekers who have arrived in Britain without permission to Rwanda is one of Sunak's flagship policies, but legal and parliamentary obstacles have meant it has never got off the ground. Sunak has said the deportation flights will not leave before the July 4 election but has promised if he wins they would begin soon after. The opposition Labour Party, leading by about 20 points in opinion polls, has pledged to scrap the plan if elected. In documents submitted to the London High Court as part of a challenge to the policy by charity Asylum Aid, government lawyers said the intention was "to effect removals with a flight to Rwanda on 23 July 2024 (and not before)." Watch: UK: Rwanda bill showdown in Parliament, calls for concessions for Afghans × However, government lawyer Edward Brown later told the court that an "operational update" from the Home Office (interior ministry) said the first flight would in fact leave on July 24. The scheme - first drawn up by one of Sunak's predecessors, Boris Johnson, in 2022 - aims to deter asylum seekers making the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats from France. Last November, the UK Supreme Court declared the policy unlawful, prompting Sunak to sign a new treaty with the East African country and to pass new legislation to override this. Asylum Aid's lawyer Charlotte Kilroy said the date earmarked for the flight was "news to us". The judge, Martin Chamberlain, remarked: "This is all going to be subject to the outcome of the general election, but we obviously cannot make any predictions about that." The numbers of asylum seekers crossing the Channel has risen to record numbers this year, with more than 10,000 people arriving so far, after numbers fell by a third in 2023.

UK declares first Rwanda asylum seekers’ deportation flight to take off on July 24

Hours after the Supreme Court’s ruling, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (Nov 15) said that he will bring in emergency legislation to declare Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers after the judiciary declared his plan to deport immigrants as unlawful.

Addressing a press conference in No10, Sunak reiterated his resolve to proceed with the “stop the boats” campaign—a reference to his plan to end illegal entry as a route to asylum in the UK.

He said that he “accepts it and respects” the Supreme Court’s ruling, but added that he did not agree with it and would find a way around it.

<h2>‘Will continue with the plan to deport immigrants’ </h2>

Sunak asserted that he is ready to defy the European Convention on Human Rights if there are any attempts to stop flights from leaving to Rwanda.

“Let me tell everyone now. I will not allow a foreign court to block these flights. If the Strasbourg Court chooses to intervene against the express wishes of Parliament I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to get flights off,” Sunak said.

“I will not take the easy way out,” he added.

The British premiere further said that he was working on a new international treaty with Rwanda that would provide “guarantees in law” in making sure that people deported from the UK are not sent back to their home country.

<h2>‘My patience has run thin’</h2>

Sunak also did not agree with deputy Conservative party deputy chair Lee Anderson’s suggestions asking the UK government to ignore the court’s ruling and allow the flights to take off anyway.

He said that people were “frustrated by repeated challenges to attempts to get this done”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-supreme-court-strikes-down-rishi-sunaks-plant-to-deport-rwanda-asylum-seekers-658799">Supreme Court strikes down Sunak’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda</a>

“My patience has run thin, as indeed I think the country’s patience has run thin,” Sunak said, claiming that he thought planes could be running to Rwanda by the spring of next year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sacked-uk-interior-minister-braverman-launches-scathing-attack-on-sunak-someone-needs-to-be-honest-658627">Sacked UK interior minister Braverman launches scathing attack on Sunak: 'Someone needs to be honest'</a>

Sunak’s decision comes hours after his former home secretary Suella Braverman joined other right-wing Tory MPs in criticsing the court’s decision and called for emergency legislation to “block off” international and domestic legal avenues preventing the flights going ahead.

Sunak has been facing pressure from a faction of Tory MPs calling on him to act to bypass the court’s decision.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hours after the Supreme Court’s ruling, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (Nov 15) said that he will bring in emergency legislation to declare Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers after the judiciary declared his plan to deport immigrants as unlawful.

Hours after the Supreme Court’s ruling, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday (Nov 15) said that he will bring in emergency legislation to declare Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers after the judiciary declared his plan to deport immigrants as unlawful. Addressing a press conference in No10, Sunak reiterated his resolve to proceed with the “stop the boats” campaign—a reference to his plan to end illegal entry as a route to asylum in the UK. He said that he “accepts it and respects” the Supreme Court’s ruling, but added that he did not agree with it and would find a way around it. ‘Will continue with the plan to deport immigrants’ Sunak asserted that he is ready to defy the European Convention on Human Rights if there are any attempts to stop flights from leaving to Rwanda. “Let me tell everyone now. I will not allow a foreign court to block these flights. If the Strasbourg Court chooses to intervene against the express wishes of Parliament I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to get flights off,” Sunak said. “I will not take the easy way out,” he added. The British premiere further said that he was working on a new international treaty with Rwanda that would provide “guarantees in law” in making sure that people deported from the UK are not sent back to their home country. ‘My patience has run thin’ Sunak also did not agree with deputy Conservative party deputy chair Lee Anderson’s suggestions asking the UK government to ignore the court’s ruling and allow the flights to take off anyway. He said that people were “frustrated by repeated challenges to attempts to get this done”. Also read | Supreme Court strikes down Sunak’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda “My patience has run thin, as indeed I think the country’s patience has run thin,” Sunak said, claiming that he thought planes could be running to Rwanda by the spring of next year. Also read | Sacked UK interior minister Braverman launches scathing attack on Sunak: 'Someone needs to be honest' Sunak’s decision comes hours after his former home secretary Suella Braverman joined other right-wing Tory MPs in criticsing the court’s decision and called for emergency legislation to “block off” international and domestic legal avenues preventing the flights going ahead. Sunak has been facing pressure from a faction of Tory MPs calling on him to act to bypass the court’s decision. (With inputs from agencies)

‘My patience has run thin’: Rishi Sunak vows to send back asylum seekers after court blocks Rwanda plan

At least 15 people have been arrested, including a 13-year-old, after violence broke out outside a hotel in the United Kingdom housing asylum seekers late Friday (February 10), said the local police on Saturday. The initially peaceful protest and counter-protest took place in Knowsley near Liverpool in northwest England which eventually descended into chaos, causing injuries, a police van set on fire, while offenders also threw lit fireworks at police officers, as per media reports citing officials.&nbsp;

The incident took place outside the Suites hotel, where 15 people between the ages of 13 and 54 were arrested including 13 men and two women. “A number of individuals who turned up at the Suites Hotel last night were intent on using a planned protest to carry out violent and despicable behaviour,” said Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of Merseyside police, as per the Guardian.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-80-asylum-seekers-died-in-uk-home-office-accommodation-since-2020-report-491960">Over 80 asylum seekers died in UK Home Office accommodation since 2020: Report</a>

She added, “They turned up armed with hammers and fireworks to cause as much trouble as they could and their actions could have resulted in members of the public and police officers being seriously injured, or worse.” The hotel in question has been providing refuge to asylum seekers since January last year under a British government contract, said the Knowsley Council.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the chief constable also said that there were multiple injuries including one of the police officers and “it is only through luck that no one was more seriously injured or worse.” She added, “All of those arrested will now be questioned and we will continue to gather all evidence as part of this investigation and our officers are continuing to examine CCTV footage in a bid to identify anyone else involved,” reported the Guardian.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-sunak-vows-to-clear-backlog-of-asylum-seekers-to-return-albanians-542977">UK PM Sunak vows to clear backlog of asylum seekers, to send Albanians back</a>

Additionally, Kennedy also said that ahead of the violence on Friday, rumours and misinformation about a man who allegedly made inappropriate advances toward a teenage girl were circulating on social media. “We know that those involved in the violent activity last night used this as an excuse to commit violence and intimidate members of the public”, said the chief constable, adding that an investigation into the incident about the teenage girl is underway.&nbsp;

“Social media speculation, misinformation and rumour can actually damage the outcome of investigations and cause unnecessary fear and consequent behaviour, so I would continue to ask people to be mindful of the damage that such actions can cause,” said Kennedy. The local police have also said that they would enforce a dispersal order for the next two days around the Suites Hotel while extra officers will be placed to carry out high-visibility policing in a bid to prevent further incidents, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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At least 15 people have been arrested, including a 13-year-old, after violence broke out outside a hotel in the United Kingdom housing asylum seekers late Friday (February 10), said the local police on Saturday.

At least 15 people have been arrested, including a 13-year-old, after violence broke out outside a hotel in the United Kingdom housing asylum seekers late Friday (February 10), said the local police on Saturday. The initially peaceful protest and counter-protest took place in Knowsley near Liverpool in northwest England which eventually descended into chaos, causing injuries, a police van set on fire, while offenders also threw lit fireworks at police officers, as per media reports citing officials. The incident took place outside the Suites hotel, where 15 people between the ages of 13 and 54 were arrested including 13 men and two women. “A number of individuals who turned up at the Suites Hotel last night were intent on using a planned protest to carry out violent and despicable behaviour,” said Serena Kennedy, the chief constable of Merseyside police, as per the Guardian. ALSO READ | Over 80 asylum seekers died in UK Home Office accommodation since 2020: Report She added, “They turned up armed with hammers and fireworks to cause as much trouble as they could and their actions could have resulted in members of the public and police officers being seriously injured, or worse.” The hotel in question has been providing refuge to asylum seekers since January last year under a British government contract, said the Knowsley Council. Meanwhile, the chief constable also said that there were multiple injuries including one of the police officers and “it is only through luck that no one was more seriously injured or worse.” She added, “All of those arrested will now be questioned and we will continue to gather all evidence as part of this investigation and our officers are continuing to examine CCTV footage in a bid to identify anyone else involved,” reported the Guardian. ALSO READ | UK PM Sunak vows to clear backlog of asylum seekers, to send Albanians back Additionally, Kennedy also said that ahead of the violence on Friday, rumours and misinformation about a man who allegedly made inappropriate advances toward a teenage girl were circulating on social media. “We know that those involved in the violent activity last night used this as an excuse to commit violence and intimidate members of the public”, said the chief constable, adding that an investigation into the incident about the teenage girl is underway. “Social media speculation, misinformation and rumour can actually damage the outcome of investigations and cause unnecessary fear and consequent behaviour, so I would continue to ask people to be mindful of the damage that such actions can cause,” said Kennedy. The local police have also said that they would enforce a dispersal order for the next two days around the Suites Hotel while extra officers will be placed to carry out high-visibility policing in a bid to prevent further incidents, reported Reuters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK: Police arrest 15 people after violence outside hotel for asylum seekers

A UK-based whistleblower has revealed children seeking asylum being subjected to racial abuse and assault at a Home Office-run hotel, calling on the British government to act immediately, reports the Guardian newspaper.&nbsp;According to reports, the whistleblower, who worked at the hotel in Brighton for over a year, scores of children who arrived in the UK without parents or a carer suffered “emotional abuse” and were later driven onto the streets and joined criminal gangs.

The revelation comes a week after an investigation by the Observer newspaper revealed that dozens of youngsters were kidnapped by gangs from the same hotel, prompting calls for a public inquiry.&nbsp;The report&nbsp;said that more than 200 children are missing from the hotels managed by the Home Office.

A week after the report, another whistleblower came forward and claimed that some more children in the Brighton hotel are being threatened.

“I heard staff threatening to throw children out of the window and joking about them going missing,” the whistleblower told the&nbsp;Observer.

He further said that despite flagging the inappropriate staff behaviour, no action was taken by the Brighton hotel, one of seven run by the Home Office.

“There was a lot of xenophobic stuff, like: ‘Fuck off back to your country.’ Somebody heard one senior staff member calling a child a ‘fucking terrorist’.”

He added that staff would regularly talk about children being abducted from nearby streets and that the targeting of youngsters was common knowledge.

The Sussex police have been apprised of the matter and have started investigating a potential trafficking case after three children got into a car outside the Brighton hotel.

According to reports, the car was driven towards London before police intercepted it. However, Home Office sources maintained they have no evidence of children being kidnapped, reports Guardian.

Responding to these reports, a Home Office spokesperson denied that the children are being kidnapped.

“We have not received any complaints in relation to these claims. The wellbeing of children in our care is an absolute priority. Robust safeguards are in place to ensure they are safe and supported as we seek urgent placements with a local authority. When issues do arise, we take complaints extremely seriously and they are acted upon quickly.”

“In October, the independent immigration watchdog found young people in hotel accommodation unanimously reported feeling safe, happy and treated with respect,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A UK-based whistleblower has revealed children seeking asylum being subjected to racial abuse and assault at a Home Office-run hotel, calling on the British government to act immediately, reports the Guardian newspaper.

A UK-based whistleblower has revealed children seeking asylum being subjected to racial abuse and assault at a Home Office-run hotel, calling on the British government to act immediately, reports the Guardian newspaper. According to reports, the whistleblower, who worked at the hotel in Brighton for over a year, scores of children who arrived in the UK without parents or a carer suffered “emotional abuse” and were later driven onto the streets and joined criminal gangs. The revelation comes a week after an investigation by the Observer newspaper revealed that dozens of youngsters were kidnapped by gangs from the same hotel, prompting calls for a public inquiry. The report said that more than 200 children are missing from the hotels managed by the Home Office. A week after the report, another whistleblower came forward and claimed that some more children in the Brighton hotel are being threatened. “I heard staff threatening to throw children out of the window and joking about them going missing,” the whistleblower told the Observer. He further said that despite flagging the inappropriate staff behaviour, no action was taken by the Brighton hotel, one of seven run by the Home Office. “There was a lot of xenophobic stuff, like: ‘Fuck off back to your country.’ Somebody heard one senior staff member calling a child a ‘fucking terrorist’.” He added that staff would regularly talk about children being abducted from nearby streets and that the targeting of youngsters was common knowledge. The Sussex police have been apprised of the matter and have started investigating a potential trafficking case after three children got into a car outside the Brighton hotel. According to reports, the car was driven towards London before police intercepted it. However, Home Office sources maintained they have no evidence of children being kidnapped, reports Guardian. Responding to these reports, a Home Office spokesperson denied that the children are being kidnapped. “We have not received any complaints in relation to these claims. The wellbeing of children in our care is an absolute priority. Robust safeguards are in place to ensure they are safe and supported as we seek urgent placements with a local authority. When issues do arise, we take complaints extremely seriously and they are acted upon quickly.” “In October, the independent immigration watchdog found young people in hotel accommodation unanimously reported feeling safe, happy and treated with respect,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Guardian. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Children asylum seekers in UK govt-run hotel racially abused, sold to criminal gangs: Report

The High Court in London has ruled the British government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is legal. Watch this video to know more.

UK plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is legal, rules high court