"The judge, Mr Justice Sheldon, halted his removal after a decision came through during the court hearing that his claims to be a victim of trafficking required further investigation. The ruling is a significant blow to the government because many of those due to be removed under the scheme are potential victims of trafficking. Because they have only recently arrived in the UK they have not had an opportunity to have their trafficking claim fully investigated nor to obtain expert medical and psychological reports."
"The Home Office argued against halting the removal, saying that the man could get further evidence to support his trafficking claim from France. On Tuesday evening, Sheldon said he was going to grant a short period of interim relief. The judgment came after a decision from the national referral mechanism, which identifies and assesses victims of slavery and human trafficking, and the invitation from the body for the man to make further representations."
"Ministers agreed the one-in, one-out pilot scheme with the French government in July as part of efforts to deter the record number of arrivals by small boat crossings so far this year. The first detentions of migrants took place last month as the deal came into force and they have been held at an immigration removal centre pending their removal from the country. Under the arrangement, the UK will send asylum seekers who have crossed the Channel back to France, in exchange for those who apply and are approved to come to Britain."
A 25-year-old Eritrean man's deportation under the UK's one-in, one-out pilot removal scheme was halted by Mr Justice Sheldon after the national referral mechanism invited further representations on his trafficking claim. He is the first person to win a high court challenge against the new scheme. Planned removal flights were cancelled and the man was due to fly to France at 9am on Wednesday. Many people slated for removal may be potential trafficking victims who have not had full investigations or specialist medical and psychological reports. The Home Office argued evidence could be obtained in France. The scheme exchanges Channel crossers with approved applicants to Britain.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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