UK Wins Hague Ruling Against Rwanda in Dispute Over Scrapped Asylum Partnership

Britain will not have to pay Rwanda millions of pounds after winning a case at The Hague over the scrapped migrant deportation deal. The tribunal ruled in favour of the UK on all grounds, according to a Government spokesman. The Rwanda migrant deportation deal was first proposed by the former Conservative Government.

It aimed to deter unauthorised crossings of the English Channel by sending asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement. Labour campaigned on a manifesto pledge to scrap the scheme. " Rwanda sued Britain for more than £100 million claiming breach of the agreement.

UK lawyers argued it was entirely logical the plan would be scrapped when Labour came into power after the 2024 general election. They said it was simple common sense that no further payments would be due. Lawyers for the UK told the court Rwanda is not entitled to any of the forms of relief it seeks.

The Conservative government had already spent £700 million on the Rwanda policy before the election. Four volunteers arrived in Rwanda under the scheme. Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja told the court that Rwanda incurred significant costs preparing for the partnership.

Emmanuel Ugirashebuja said the UK sought to walk away from its legal obligations. He said the UK did not inform Rwanda in advance that it was scrapping the deal. Rwandan leaders were left to read about the scrapping in the media, he said.

Rwanda sought a court ruling that the UK breached the agreement and should pay about £100 million due in two instalments in 2024 and 2025. Rwanda also sought £6 million in compensation and interest. Rwanda would accept a formal apology from the UK instead of compensation.

The spokesman said the previous government’s policy wasted time and £700m of taxpayer money to send four volunteers to Rwanda. The spokesman added the Government is now focused on delivering vital reforms to restore order and control to Britain’s borders, including removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain and scaling up removals of those with no right to be here.