The Rwandan government has launched legal action against the UK to seek payments it claims it is owed under a scrapped migrant deal between the two countries. Rwanda has filed a case with the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing the UK has failed to honour commitments made in a deal to send some asylum seekers to the African nation.
Under the deal, which was signed by the previous Conservative government, the UK agreed to make payments to Rwanda to host asylum seekers and support its economy. However, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer axed the deal in 2024, the Home Office stated that £220 million in 'scheduled future payments will not have to be paid' to Rwanda.
The BBC has reached out to the Home Office for comment, with the prime minister's spokesman asserting the government's position would be 'robustly defended'. The spokesman criticized the Rwanda scheme as a 'complete disaster', highlighting a substantial cost to taxpayers without significant results.
Currently, the Rwandan government has engaged in diplomatic exchanges prior to initiating the arbitration, aiming for a legal determination of rights and obligations under the treaty. The PCA can issue binding rulings if disputes remain unresolved between the countries, and it is anticipated that this arbitration could take years to conclude.
Conservative officials accuse the Labour government of recklessness in abandoning the Rwanda plan, alleging it places a financial burden on taxpayers, while Rwanda insists it holds no obligation to refund any sums.
Under the deal, which was signed by the previous Conservative government, the UK agreed to make payments to Rwanda to host asylum seekers and support its economy. However, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer axed the deal in 2024, the Home Office stated that £220 million in 'scheduled future payments will not have to be paid' to Rwanda.
The BBC has reached out to the Home Office for comment, with the prime minister's spokesman asserting the government's position would be 'robustly defended'. The spokesman criticized the Rwanda scheme as a 'complete disaster', highlighting a substantial cost to taxpayers without significant results.
Currently, the Rwandan government has engaged in diplomatic exchanges prior to initiating the arbitration, aiming for a legal determination of rights and obligations under the treaty. The PCA can issue binding rulings if disputes remain unresolved between the countries, and it is anticipated that this arbitration could take years to conclude.
Conservative officials accuse the Labour government of recklessness in abandoning the Rwanda plan, alleging it places a financial burden on taxpayers, while Rwanda insists it holds no obligation to refund any sums.
