First migrant deported to France under Keir Starmer’s ‘one in, one out’ deal
UK threatens to suspend visas if countries do not take back migrants
The first migrant has been deported to France under Sir Keir Starmer’s “one in, one out” deal, flying from Heathrow to Paris on Thursday morning.
The deported asylum seeker is from India, with French officials expecting another migrant under the scheme later today due to an existing agreement with India for enforced returns.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood vowed to review modern slavery laws after the High Court blocked an Eritrean asylum seeker’s removal, criticising what she called “vexatious, last-minute” claims.
Ms Mahmood's comments were condemned by independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons, who stated they would put lives at risk.
Several other asylum seekers scheduled for deportation had their removal directions cancelled or deferred after sending pre-action legal letters to the Home Office.