UK Court Halts First France Return Under New Asylum Deal

A British judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker back to France, marking the first delay under a new agreement between London and Paris. The 25-year-old, initially pressured to leave Britain, gained relief after presenting human trafficking allegations.

The court highlighted serious issues regarding the trafficking claims and the legal diligence of the Home Secretary, raising significant concerns around Prime Minister Keir Starmer's revised immigration strategy. His administration's plan to manage channel crossings reflects a shift from previous policies.

Despite this setback, officials remain hopeful about the UK-France 'one in, one out' deal, aimed at streamlining asylum proceedings. While protests and public expenses continue to rise, government representatives assert the agreement's foundation remains firm.

(With inputs from agencies.)