First Rwanda migrant flight delayed until at least 24 July

Specialist courts that deal with immigration cases have so far released at least 24 people who have been detained since April for the first Rwanda flight. More bail applications are expected to be heard in the coming days.

At least 20 individuals appear to have now begun substantial legal challenges against the Rwanda plan – any one of which could end up in the Supreme Court.

Setting a timetable in one of those cases today, Mr Justice Chamberlain said that a man who arrived in the UK in May 2022, claiming he had been tortured in Sudan, would see his case go to a major hearing in the weeks to come.

The judge said it was possible that other migrants would be considering launching similarly challenges and would end up joining this case.

The FDA union, which represents senior government officials, is separately asking a judge to rule whether the relocation scheme forces civil servants to break the law.

The Conservatives say it is essential to stop small boats crossing the English Channel and will act as a deterrent to people smuggling – but Labour says it is an expensive gimmick and Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to scrap it immediately.

Similarly, the Liberal Democrats have pledged to scrap the Rwanda scheme, calling it a “failing policy”, while the SNP, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru have all criticised the policy.

Reform UK’s now former leader Richard Tice has criticised those who are against the Rwanda scheme, stating in April that “pick up and take back” is the “only policy that will stop the boats”.