A French court has delivered a stinging rebuke to British justice, refusing to deport a migrant to the UK in a ruling that threatens to undermine Rishi Sunak's flagship policy on small boat crossings.
The case centred on an Iranian national who had previously claimed asylum in Britain before travelling to France. UK authorities sought his return under post-Brexit rules, but the French court in Rouen rejected the request, citing severe delays and failures within the UK's asylum system.
A Damning Indictment of the UK's Asylum Process
The judges expressed profound concerns about the risk of "inhuman or degrading treatment" due to the Home Office's backlog, which could leave the individual in legal limbo for years. This ruling marks a significant legal and diplomatic challenge, suggesting that France now views Britain's system as potentially unfit for purpose.
This decision strikes at the heart of the UK's strategy, which relies on being able to return migrants who have passed through safe European countries. If French courts consistently block such returns, a key pillar of the government's plan to deter Channel crossings could collapse.
Political Fallout and a Strained Partnership
The timing is deeply embarrassing for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has staked his reputation on "stopping the boats." The ruling exposes the fragility of the UK's much-vaunted migration partnership with France, a relationship already under strain from the costs and complexities of joint patrols.
This legal setback raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of the current Anglo-French agreement. With a general election looming, the government is under immense pressure to demonstrate progress on its key pledge, making this court ruling a potentially significant political event.
The Home Office has stated it is reviewing the judgment, but the precedent set could embolden other legal challenges, creating a new and formidable obstacle to the government's immigration agenda.
