Three asylum seekers who were set to be deported to Rwanda will now not be removed, the Home Office revealed today - as opponents sought to scupper Priti Patel's flagship policy with a last-ditch High Court legal challenge.
Around 100 people have been told they will be put on a flight to the central African nation next Tuesday, but charities, campaigners and a union representing Border Force staff have brought a legal challenge on behalf of a number of them.
Lawyers acting for the groups say the policy is unlawful and LGBT migrants could face discrimination. They are seeking an urgent injunction today to stop next week's planned flight, and any other such flights, ahead of a full hearing of the case later in the year.
The fightback is being led by top QCs Raza Husain and Chris Buttler - both from Matrix - a chamber of liberal barristers' co-founded by Cherie Booth, the wife of former Labour PM Tony Blair. She left in 2014.
The Home Office insists their claim should fail because it is not justified and that Ms Patel's policy is in the public interest to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel. The flight could be grounded if the High Court grants the injunction.