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Added on the 15/06/2022 17:37:49 - Copyright : AFP EN
A plane set to carry asylum-seekers to Rwanda as part of a controversial UK policy is seen on the tarmac as the migrant rights group Care4Calais tweeted the flight is cancelled. IMAGES
A plane thought to be the one bound for Kigali as part of the UK government's controversial policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda waits at the Boscombe Down military air field. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss insisted the first flight to Kigali, believed to be operated by Spanish charter firm Privilege Style, would take off, no matter how many people were on board. Only seven people are now due to be deported because of legal challenges and reviews of their cases -- well down on the 130 initially envisaged by the authorities. IMAGES
A Rwandan government spokesperson has confirmed that people seeking asylum in the country after arriving from the UK, who have their claims rejected will still be eligible to apply for residence in Rwanda. She also emphasises that migrants will be able to apply for relocation, "the new arrivals will be free to come and go as they please" she adds. SOUNDBITE
The UK's Supreme Court declines to hear an appeal by lawyers representing an asylum seeker who is set to be sent to Rwanda on a government deportation flight, meaning the flight can go ahead. Judge Robert Reed rules that there was no basis for the Supreme Court to take up a challenge against a Court of Appeals ruling on the issue. The first flight is set to take off from the UK for Kigali on the evening of Tuesday 14 June 2022, with the government saying the policy will deter migrants from crossing the English Channel in small boats. SOUNDBITE
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government wins the backing of the elected House of Commons for his controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda. The government fended off right-wing Conservative rebels to win the final vote on the legislation in the parliament's lower chamber by 320 votes to 276. SOUNDBITE
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tells the House of Commons he has "absolute conviction" in his government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda ahead of a vote in parliament on the bill which has exposed schisms in his ruling Conservative party. The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, if passed, will compel judges to treat Rwanda as a safe third country and proposes giving UK ministers powers to disregard sections of international and British human rights legislation. SOUNDBITE
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