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Patel's ‘inhumane’ pushback policy officially abandoned

PRITI PATEL’S “inhumane” pushback policy has been officially abandoned by the government in a humiliating climbdown for the Home Secretary. 

The withdrawal of the proposal to give the border force powers in the Channel to turn small boats back to France comes just over a week before a legal action against the policy was due to be heard in the High Court. 

The four groups due to bring the judicial review — Freedom from Torture, Care4Calais, trade union PCS representing border force staff and Channel Rescue — had argued that the policy was unlawful and put lives in danger. 

In a letter to the organisations on Sunday, government lawyers confirmed that the Home Office had withdrawn the policy and that the Ministry of Defence, which is now in charge of operations involving small boats in the Channel, was not granted permission to authorise the use of pushbacks. 

Ms Patel had repeatedly claimed that there was a legal basis for the policy but had declined to disclose further details when questioned by MPs and peers.

The judicial review, due to start on May 3, has been withdrawn.

Today campaigners described the scrapping of the policy as a stunning victory for refugees. 

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “There is little doubt that lives have been saved. The pushbacks manoeuvre is extremely dangerous and represents a clear risk to life and limb. 

“We were simply not prepared to allow our members to be placed in this horrendous position.”  

Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley said: ”We’re delighted that no more time or money will be wasted on this idea, but it’s a shame it took a legal challenge from our charity and others to put an end to it.”

Jeremy Bloom, lead solicitor representing PCS and Care4Calais, said: “We are convinced that the Home Secretary has withdrawn the policy because she knew that she would lose in court if she went to trial.”

The groups vowed to continue fighting the government’s “anti-refugee agenda,” including the Nationality & Borders Bill and plans to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda. 

Freedom from Torture’s Sonya Sceats said: “We won’t stop until this whole agenda of hate politics has been vanquished.”

The Home Office was approached for comment. 

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