Asylum seekers selected expected to resist as officials reveal flight plans have been internally downgraded to mere 'proof of concept'
Asylum seekers selected expected to resist as officials reveal flight plans have been internally downgraded to mere 'proof of concept'
One civil servant called the current plans an “election vanity scam”, saying the original Home Office target of sending 1,000 people a week to Rwanda had been internally downgraded. The ISU union, which represents frontline Border Force and immigration workers, said its members were concerned about potential physical resistance from people being taken into detention for Rwanda flights, and on the plane itself.
The union believes that such resistance is likely to prevent flights taking off. Ms Moreton says that even if they do get in the air, disruption on the flight itself could cause pilots to ground or stop planes before they get to Rwanda. Head of bargaining Paul O’Connor added: “The Home Office have got lists of people they’ve got earmarked for deportation, and those are the ones who are least likely to successfully obtain an injunction to stop the flight.
“You can imagine the amount of distress that people are going to be in being loaded onto that plane. That in itself presents a security risk for any flight.” Ms Moreton said at least two escorts will be needed per asylum seeker flown to Rwanda, taking up more space on any flights, and that the number will go up if they are distressed or resistant.
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