At a glance
• An Iranian migrant who was previously removed to France under the UK’s ‘one in, one out’ deal was sent back again after returning to Britain by small boat four days earlier
• The Home Office said he was detected through biometrics and swiftly deported, while ministers claimed the case showed the system was working despite criticism that the small boats policy was in ‘total chaos’
• Ninety-four people have been removed and 57 brought to the UK under the scheme, while Channel crossings have paused for 13 days due to bad weather, with 2025 arrivals now 7% lower than at the same point in 2022.
A migrant who returned to the UK on a small boat weeks after being removed to France under the Government’s "one in, one out" deal has been sent back across the Channel.
The Home Office confirmed on Wednesday that the Iranian national was put on a morning flight back to the continent.
The man had claimed to have been a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smuggling gangs in France, but his appeal for asylum in Britain was rejected.
He was first removed on September 19, becoming the third person to be sent to France under the scheme. But he returned four days ago on October 18.
His second crossing back to the country prompted criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch that the Government’s small boats plan is in "total chaos", while ministers insisted his detection on arrival "shows the system is working".
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Anyone looking to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement is wasting their time and money.
“This individual was detected by biometrics and detained instantly. His case was expedited, and now he has been removed again.
“My message is clear: if you try to return to the UK you will be sent back. I will do whatever it takes to scale up removals of illegal migrants and secure our borders.”
Ninety-four people who have arrived in the UK illegally have so far been removed under the scheme in which the Government agrees to take in asylum seekers who have a case for protection.
While 57 people have been brought to Britain through the route.
These people have undergone full documentation, security and eligibility checks, the Home Office said.
No migrants have been recorded crossing the English Channel for 13 days, the longest gap so far this year.
The most recent date on which people arrived in the UK after making the journey by boat was October 22, according to Home Office data.
Bad weather is likely to have played a role in stopping migrants from attempting to reach the English coast.
Storm Benjamin brought heavy rain and strong winds to northern France and the Channel on October 23, with further wet and blustery weather on subsequent days.
The 11-day gap in arrivals from October 23 to November 2 beats this year's previous longest gap, which was the ten days from August 27 to September 5.
It also means Channel crossings in 2025 are no longer running at record levels.
The cumulative number of arrivals this year, 36,954, is 7 per cent below the total at this point in 2022 (39,929).
Some 45,774 migrants arrived in 2022 - the highest number in any calendar year since data on Channel crossings was first collected in 2018.
