UPDATE - UK court dismisses appeal to stop asylum seekers' flight to Rwanda

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) – Britain’s Court of Appeal dismissed on Monday an appeal against a High Court decision that asylum seekers can be flown to Rwanda in a controversial scheme.

The decision means the first deportation flight to Rwanda can go ahead on Tuesday.

In April, the UK announced plans to send some of the people who seek asylum in the UK to Rwanda. The scheme drew criticism from lawmakers, both within and outside the ruling Conservative Party, as well as charities and even the Church of England.

Critics say the plan is immoral, but the Home Office argues it is necessary to break up international people-smuggling gangs, and stop cross-Channel illegal migration.

The Court of Appeal said it “cannot interfere” with the original High Court decision, and also refused permission for an appeal to the Supreme Court.

It said the High Court judge “produced a detailed and careful judgement” in this “urgent and important case.”

The case was brought forward by the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents around 80% of the UK’s Border Force staff, as well as the charities Care4Calais and Detention Action.

"We certainly intend for there to be a flight tomorrow. That still remains the plan," said a spokesperson of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

According to local media, 11 asylum seekers will be put on the plane tomorrow shortly before midday, though the number of deportees may drop to single figures.

Overall, around 130 people have so far been told they could be deported to the East African country.