Asylum seekers could claim false imprisonment - solicitor

In May about 16 asylum seekers were taken to a detention centre, including three from a football team made up of asylum seekers and refugees living in Hull

Lawyers representing asylum seekers who have been released from detention say they could have a claim for false imprisonment.

In May about 16 asylum seekers were taken from Hull to a detention centre at Heathrow where they were held with the intention of sending them to Rwanda.

Applications for bail have since been granted after government lawyers told the High Court there would be no flight before 24 July at the earliest.

The Home Office has never confirmed the numbers held in detention and said it would not provide a running commentary on the Rwanda operation.

The government has told the High Court it has delayed the possible start of sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda

More than 75 of those detained have now been released on bail, according to lawyers.

However, one lawyer told the BBC their release should have been automatic.

Daniel Merriman, from Wilson Solicitors, said: “Unfortunately, the secretary of state is not releasing people automatically, and when people have brought applications for bail the Home Office is still resisting, relying on a series of hypothetical justifications, which is unlawful."

The Home Office disputed Mr Merriman's claims, adding it was not unlawfully detaining individuals.

A spokesperson said detained individuals were advised of their right to legal representation, and how they could obtain such representation, within 24 hours of their arrival at an immigration removal centre.

Shirley Hart, from Welcome House, said 16 of the people the charity worked with had been detained

Shirley Hart, from Welcome House, a charity which supports refugees in Hull, previously told the BBC 16 young men including three footballers who play for Acorn FC - a team made up of asylum seekers and refugees living in Hull - had been detained and their phones taken from them.

"They went to sign on at the police station - a weekly requirement while waiting for refugee status - and they literally were detained, put into a detention van and sent down to a detention centre," she said.

Earlier this week, Ms Hart said one asylum seeker, who has returned to Hull after spending more than a month in detention, had been "broken" by the experience.

She said he looked gaunt when he returned and had lost all the confidence he had rebuilt after fleeing his war-torn home country.

Mr Merriman also said the costs involved in the detention and relocation of asylum seekers were in addition to the £370m that the National Audit Office said the UK government would pay Rwanda over five years, if the scheme went ahead.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said if he was returned to power there would be a regular rhythm of flights, starting in July.

Labour has pledged to scrap the policy if it wins the general election on 4 July.

The Liberal Democrats also said the scheme should be scrapped because it breaks international law.

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