UK may lose $120 mn paid to Rwanda

The first deportation flight to Rwanda was grounded in June after a series of legal challenges, and another attempt is yet to be scheduled. Officials for the east African nation’s government confirmed it has received the entire initial payment for the agreement signed in April and that the funds are already “committed”, with some money spent on preparations for arrivals.
 
Last month, Downing Street conceded that some cash had been paid but refused to say how much or when this had happened, saying the information was “confidential”.
 
However, Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo recently said that “There was an initial transfer of £120 million. This has already been paid and we are already using the funds to prepare.” This means Britain stands to lose £120 million it has paid to Rwanda if the plan to deport migrants is ruled unlawful by the courts.
 
Several asylum seekers, the Public and Commercial Services union and charities Care4Calais, Detention Action and Asylum Aid are challenging the legality of the Home Office policy, with the next court hearings due in September and October.
 
The ongoing court cases have raised the prospect that a flight may not be attempted again until the winter. Some migrants issued with Rwanda removal directions have already been released from immigration detention because, as yet, another flight has not been lined up.
 
Earlier, a High Court hearing had revealed that the Foreign Office advised the UK Government against sending asylum seekers to the east African nation and the country had been accused of recruiting refugees for military conflicts.