The Home Office’s first flight carrying asylum-seekers to Rwanda has been given the go-ahead by the High Court in London after campaigners lost a bid to halt it.

       A judge refused to grant an injunction to prevent the first trip in the controversial scheme, scheduled to leave on Tuesday with 31 asylum-seekers onboard.

       Up to 130 people have been notified they could be removed under the scheme, and the Home Office is planning to schedule more this year.

       Mr Justice Swift granted the claimants permission to appeal, suggesting Court of Appeal judges would hear the case on Monday.

       In his ruling, he also denied interim relief to two people who face removal to Rwanda.

       Court documents revealed the Home Office cancelled deportations to Rwanda for five migrants who appealed to the High Court.

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       Charity Care4Calais, the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) and pressure group Detention Action sought a judicial review of the scheme, which they have branded unlawful.

       The High Court heard the policy to remove people to Rwanda was unlawful in part because it was “irrational”.

       Raza Husain QC, for the people and groups bringing the claim, said: “The secretary of state’s conclusion as to the safety of Rwanda was irrational. We have a very strong case on that.”

       The court was told that the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, had a number of concerns about the asylum process in Rwanda, including discriminatory access to asylum – including for LGBT people – a lack of legal representation and interpreters and difficulties in appealing.

       “The UNHCR has serious concerns that asylum-seekers will not have access to a firm and fair procedure for the determination of refugee status,” Mr Husain added.

       The government has argued the scheme will stop dangerous Channel crossings

       (Getty)

       Laura Dubinsky QC, for the UNHCR, said “in the light of inaccuracies” she wanted to clarify that the UNHCR in no way endorsed the UK-Rwanda arrangement. She said the UNHCR had informed the home secretary that it was unlawful.

       In a written submission, the Home Office said removal to Rwanda “pursues an important public interest, adding the deportations are “intended to deter” people from making dangerous small boat journeys to the UK to claim asylum.

       The court also heard that the Home Office may have further planned deportation flights to Rwanda.

       Mathew Gullick QC said: “The Home Office does intend to make arrangements for a further flight or flights to Rwanda this year.”

       Asked about flights before the full hearing by the end of July, he continued: “That will depend on how many individuals leave on the flight on Tuesday.”

       Keir Starmer has called the plan a ‘chaotic diversion’

       (PA Wire)

       The Asylum Aid charity is bringing a separate case on Monday about the way in which the policy is being introduced. Individual migrants are also set to bring legal challenges.

       Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called the plan a “chaotic diversion”, saying Labour instead would form “a proper plan with the French authorities” to tackle people-smuggling.

       When asked what Labour’s alternative to the policy would be, he said: “I think it’s very important that we all say, loud and clear, that we don’t want anybody making that dangerous crossing across the Channel.

       “We don’t want these people-smugglers to make profit from their business and we need to go after them hard.”

       Home secretary Priti Patel welcomed the ruling, saying the government will “now continue to deliver on progressing our world-leading Migration Partnership”.

       Priti Patel and Rwandan minister Vincent Biruta signing the deal in April

       (AFP/Getty)

       Ms Patel said: “People will continue to try and prevent their relocation through legal challenges and last-minute claims, but we will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people smuggling trade and ultimately saving lives.

       “Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees - we will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings.”

       Shortly after his ruling, Mr Justice Swift granted the claimants permission to appeal, suggesting Court of Appeal judges would hear the case on Monday.

       Campaigners said they were “disappointed” with the decision but that they would appeal.

       After the ruling, the PCS union also tweeted that it “has called for urgent talks with home secretary Priti Patel on her Rwanda removal policy following a High Court ruling today”.

       Detention Action said: “Our application has already been granted to appeal the High Court decision allowing next week’s Rwanda flight.

       “Our appeal will be heard on Monday & our larger legal case against this policy will be heard over the coming weeks. Thanks to all those standing with us.”

       Asylum Aid said: “The truncated timeframes are unlawful and unfair, and this argument still has to be heard.”

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       Sonya Sceats, chief executive at Freedom from Torture, said: “We are disappointed that the court did not grant this injunction to ensure that nobody is sent to Rwanda before Boris Johnson’s cruel policy can be subjected to proper legal scrutiny.

       “But the fight is far from over. Caring people across Britain are incensed that this government wants to send people seeking safety halfway across the world and are taking action.”