The recent court ruling has determined that the UK will not be required to pay Rwanda millions of pounds following the termination of the problematic Tory deportation policy. Rwanda had pursued legal action seeking £100 million, claiming entitlement to payments scheduled for 2024 and 2025. This substantial amount was part of a controversial agreement promoted by Conservative leaders Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, which involved transferring over £700 million in conjunction with a plan to deport unsuccessful asylum seekers.
Despite efforts by the Sunak administration to address legal obstacles surrounding the policy, no forced deportations were executed, leading to the project’s abandonment by the Labour government upon assuming power. The government has dismissed the Tory initiative as a waste of resources and emphasized that no further payments would be made after the policy’s discontinuation, a stance supported by the ruling of judges at The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands.
The Rwanda deportation scheme, a key initiative under the Conservative government, aimed to deter small boat crossings by relocating failed asylum seekers to Africa. However, only four volunteers were eventually transferred, raising uncertainties about Rwanda’s capacity to accommodate more individuals. Subsequent to a Supreme Court ruling deeming the policy illegal in 2023, Sunak introduced the Safety of Rwanda Act in 2024, designating Rwanda as a safe destination for deportations.
During the legal proceedings, UK representatives contended that the plan’s termination upon Labour’s assumption of power was a foreseeable outcome. Rwanda sought to hold the UK accountable for breaching the agreement and demanded outstanding payments, along with compensation. In response, UK lawyers refuted claims of breaching the accord and asserted that Rwanda was not entitled to the relief sought.
Following the change in leadership, Prime Minister Keir Starmer promptly declared the plan defunct, prompting Rwanda to express disappointment over the UK’s withdrawal from the agreement without prior notice. Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General highlighted the costs incurred in preparing for the partnership and urged the UK to fulfill its obligations or issue a formal apology in lieu of compensation.
While one arbitrator recommended a £50 million payment to Rwanda for the second year of the scheme, the majority decision favored the UK’s position. A government spokesperson emphasized the tribunal’s ruling in favor of the UK, criticizing the previous administration’s costly and ineffective deportation strategy. Efforts are now focused on implementing border reforms to enhance control and deter illegal migration, prioritizing the removal of individuals lacking legal grounds to remain in the country.
