Lawyers Block Deportation of All Migrants on Removal Flight

Lawyers have successfully frustrated the government’s efforts to deport every single illegal migrant on a planned return flight to Spain.

Thousands of illegal migrants have crossed the English Channel from France in small boats in recent months, with none being turned back by the Border Force, very few being turned back by the French authorities, and only a small minority being deported at a later date.

A Home Office flight bound for Spain to return illegal Channel migrants had to be abandoned on Thursday morning after being bogged down in legal action, The Sun can reveal.

23 illegal migrants who had arrived on small boats were due to be deported but were successfully removed from the flight on legal technicalities.

A Whitehall source said "there was 100 per cent legal attrition rate on the flight due to unprecedented and organised casework barriers sprung on the government by three law firms."

All 23 migrants were represented by Duncan Lewis, John Street or Milestone solicitors and all were classed as a risk to themselves or others in detention.

Officials will attempt the flight again in two weeks time.

A source added: "Due to a high volume of last-minute legal challenges which needed time for consideration, [this] flight was paused. The UK only ever returns those who the Home Office and, where applicable, the courts are satisfied do not need our protection and have no legal basis to remain in the UK."