The British government has proceeded with the flight despite public outcry and legal challenges
In response to the actions taken on behalf of the deportees, the government has vowed to look into the use of judicial review for mounting legal challenges against its decisions promoting widespread consternation.
The flight to Jamaica took off early on February 11 with fewer passengers on board after a court judgment forced the government to remove more than half the intended passengers from the manifest amid concerns that mobile phone outages had prevented detainees from having access to legal advice. Originally about 50 persons had been expected to be on board.
Many have voiced concerns. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats leader, has warned against restricting the public’s right to judicial review affirming that the public must be allowed to hold ministers to account in the courts when they act beyond the bounds of the law. The proposed review announced by the Conservative government was in his opinion an attack on the courts, judicial review and the Human Rights Act and were designed to weaken the powers of ordinary people and enable ministers to act with impunity.
The government appeared unrepentant over the issue. A spokesman for the prime minister said the government “bitterly regrets” the decision of the court of appeal judges to stop the deportation of 25 offenders.
