UK immigration deal agreed with Nigeria

Amid the collapse of the Tory government, and news that UK Prime Minister Boris is set to resign after several high profile cabinet members quit, Home Secretary Priti Patel has agreed a new UK immigration deal with Nigeria. The agreement is aimed at cracking down on illegal migration and speeding up the removal of foreign criminals.

The Home Secretary described the ‘memorandum of understanding’ as a “landmark agreement” that demonstrates Brexit Britain’s new immigration plan in action. Home Office officials said: “The new pact will also help promote shared bilateral economic interests.”

Under the agreement, Britain and Nigeria will issue emergency travel documents or temporary passports within five days in order to speed up removal. The two nations have also pledged to work together to support those who come to each country legally and safely.

Government collapse

The deal comes against a backdrop of a Tory government collapse after top cabinet members Rishi Sunak – former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Sajid Javid – former UK Health Secretary, quit the government amid questions over Boris Johnson’s leadership.

Commenting on the deal, Patel said: "It is an important development that the UK and Nigeria have signed an agreement to co-operate on migration issues, to tackle illegal migration and the significant threat it poses to both nations.”

“The deal will mean that operational teams in both countries will share their expertise to take the fight to criminal people smugglers who are responsible for a wider range of criminality and put profit before people while undermining the security of our two countries.

“This landmark agreement will increase the deportation of dangerous foreign criminals to make our streets and country safer. This is our New Plan for UK Immigration being put into action.” Patel added.

Deportation flight to Nigeria 

The agreement was reached on the same day that a deportation flight departed the UK to return a group of Nigerian illegal immigrants. 13 foreign nationals who reportedly had no right to be in the UK were onboard the chartered flight back to the African country. It’s understood that eight of those removed were deported for criminal activity.

The remaining five were people who had entered the UK illegally. Since the start of 2019, the UK has removed 10,741 foreign national offenders.

In recent months, the UK has stepped up its efforts to tackle illegal immigration having agreed deals with Rwanda, Albania, India, Serbia and now Nigeria. Earlier this year, Patel signed a partnership with Rwanda to send asylum seekers to the East African nation for processing.

Ministers hope that the deal with Rwanda will deter people from making the dangerous journey across the English Channel in small boats if they know they will immediately be removed again.

However, the first plane due to depart for Rwanda last month was delayed amid a string of last-minute legal challenges.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) blocked take off after granting an interim injunction against removals. A full-court hearing to determine the legality of the agreement with Rwanda will now be heard. However, it is thought it could take a year for a full hearing to be heard.

New legislation

Following the ECHR’s intervention in the Rwanda flight, UK government ministers are looking to force through new legislation to end the requirement for the UK to follow judgements from the ECHR.

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