Rwanda migrants flight latest news: Home Office preparation for next flight ‘begins now’

Reacting to news that the Rwanda flight was blocked late last night by the European Court of Human Rights, Home secretary Priti Patel vowed “preparation for the next flight begins now.”

She added: “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 removal flights and many of those removed from this flight will be placed on the next.”

She warned: “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 flihgt and preparation for the next flight begins now.”

Cabinet minister Therese Coffey has said that the Home Office is preparing for its next deportation flight to Rwanda, adding: “We will continue to prepare”.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Ms Coffey said: “The government is disappointed in the decision – I’ve never known such a quick decision made by the EHCR on trying to intervene.

“I think the public will be surprised we have European judges overruling British judges — but nevertheless I know the Home Office is already getting ready for next flight. We will continue to prepare.”

The cabinet minister declined to say when the next flight to Rwanda would take place, insisting it is for the Home Office to focus on the matter.

Pressed on whether it would be days or weeks, she said: “I’m not going to get into operational discussions.”

The sister of an Iranian Kurd who was due to be on last night’s Home Office flight to Rwanda spoke to The Independent before the plane was grounded.

She said she was “very worried” about her brother, insisting: “Rwanda is not going to be a safe place for my brother.”

Her brother, who fled from political persecution in his country, told her yesterday evening: “Just tell my family I love them, I’m really sorry for everything.”

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Following news that the UK’s Home Office Rwanda flight did not take off last night, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said: “We are not deterred by these developments.”

He added: “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 home secretary said she will “not be deterred from doing the right thing” as government sources confirmed to the PA news agency that all migrants were removed from the plane which was set to take off on Tuesday night.

The Rwandan government has hit back at “insulting” criticism of plans to relocate migrants from the UK.

Yolande Makolo, a spokeswoman for the east African nation’s administration, said opponents were “missing the bigger picture” about the efforts being made to improve the standard of living in the country and offer better opportunities so they do not lose their young people to “Europe” as well as provide a safe haven for refugees.

Speaking to reporters in Kigali on Tuesday before the first deportation flight was grounded, Ms Makolo said: “There’s a point that we want to get across as Africans, that Africa should not be looked at as a place that creates problems and creates migrants and creates refugees.

Discussing the trend, Sunder Katwala, director of think tank British Future, pointed out that the slur was also being used by both left- and right-leaning commentators against people they disagree with or dislike, with those from ethnic minorities being disproportionately targeted.

The nation’s papers are led by reaction to the Rwanda flight being cancelled following a late ruling from the European Court of Human Rights.

The Independent leads with the last-minute reprieve of the flight to Rwanda. The Times, The Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail all report the plane was grounded after migrants aboard it were granted injunctions against their removal.

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The first migrants to arrive in Rwanda under the UK’s radical new deal to curb Channel crossings will be offered the chance to rebuild their lives in the east African nation.

The group will most likely be flown into a private terminal at Kigali’s international airport before being taken straight to accommodation at Hope Hostel – where they will be given a chance to rest, eat and settle in, as well as being tested for Covid-19, before they are processed.

According to the Rwandan government, this is the only facility being used for initial accommodation under the plan so far.