Home Secretary Slams Migrants Who Lodge Last-Minute Legal Challenges

Strategic Insights -

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched a scathing attack on migrants who lodge last-minute legal challenges to avoid deportation. The move comes after one of the first small-boat migrants to be targeted for removal won a 14-day reprieve in the courts, paving the way for similar claims by others at risk of deportation under the Government's new deal with France. The Home Secretary accused migrants of "making a mockery of our laws" and vowed to fight any attempts to frustrate removals, saying she will do "whatever it takes" to secure the border.

Key Takeaways:

  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has blasted migrants who lodge last-minute legal challenges to avoid deportation, accusing them of making a mockery of the law.
  • The move comes after one of the first small-boat migrants to be targeted for removal won a 14-day reprieve in the courts.
  • The migrant, a 25-year-old Eritrean, submitted a modern slavery claim, alleging he had been forced to work unpaid in Libya while on his way to Europe.
  • About half of the 92 migrants reported to be in Home Office custody are expected to bring similar claims, deploying human rights and modern slavery grounds.
  • The High Court granted an injunction barring the migrant's removal for 14 days while the modern slavery application is scrutinised.
  • Home Office lawyers will appeal to reduce the length of the injunction so the migrant can be deported.
  • Since the 'one in, one out' deal came into force on August 7, more than 5,400 small-boat migrants have reached Britain.
  • And since the start of this year, 31,026 migrants have arrived - up 38 per cent on the same period last year.

Statistics:

  • 92 migrants reported to be in Home Office custody.
  • About half of which are expected to bring human rights and modern slavery claims.
  • 31,026 migrants have arrived in Britain since the start of this year, a 38 per cent increase on the same period last year.
  • More than 5,400 small-boat migrants have reached Britain since the 'one in, one out' deal came into force on August 7.

Sources:

  • Shabana Mahmood, Home Secretary
  • Chris Philp, Tory MP and Shadow Home Secretary
  • Daily Mail article (no date provided)
  • High Court judgement (no date provided)
  • Quentin Letts article (no date provided)
  • Air France flight schedule (no date provided)