The British taxpayer could be forced to pay millions in compensation to asylum seekers who launched legal challenges against the government's stalled Rwanda deportation scheme, the Daily Mail can reveal.
In a startling development, migrants who crossed the English Channel in small boats have been awarded payouts after their lawyers successfully argued that conditions at the Manston detention centre in Kent amounted to "inhumane and degrading" treatment.
Legal Challenges Mount Against Controversial Policy
The compensation claims emerged as part of a wider legal battle against Rishi Sunak's flagship immigration policy, which has seen zero deportations to Rwanda despite costing the Treasury approximately £290 million. Lawyers representing the migrants have seized upon the poor conditions at processing facilities to bolster their cases against removal.
One source familiar with the proceedings disclosed: "The worst conditions are being used by lawyers to block removals to Rwanda. They're arguing that if you treat people badly here, you can't then remove them."
Home Office Faces Mounting Pressure
The Home Office now confronts a potential compensation bill exceeding £3.5 million, with each affected migrant potentially receiving thousands of pounds. This development comes as ministers prepare for another parliamentary battle over the Rwanda legislation when MPs return to Westminster.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressed outrage at the situation, stating: "We're seeing the sorry spectacle of illegal migrants who've broken into Britain being offered thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money because they didn't like the conditions they were housed in."
System Under Strain
The Manston processing facility, designed to hold approximately 1,600 people for 24 hours, became severely overcrowded during peak crossing periods in 2022. At one point, numbers swelled to around 4,000 individuals, with some detainees reporting stays exceeding a month amid allegations of inadequate sanitation and medical care.
Despite government efforts to address the crisis through the Rwanda partnership scheme, legal challenges and practical obstacles have prevented any flights from departing. The policy remains mired in controversy as ministers struggle to demonstrate progress on their pledge to "stop the boats."
This latest compensation revelation is expected to intensify the debate around Britain's immigration system and the government's approach to managing Channel crossings.
