Deportation flights leaving with empty seats is 'damning indictment on weak government'

MORE than one-in-five seats on chartered deportation flights were left empty in the past 12 months, according to official figures.

- By Jaymi McCann

Data from the Home Office revealed that between September last year and last month, 745 out of 3,717 seats were left unfilled.

This means 20.04% were empty — about the same as an entire Boeing 747 flying at taxpayer expense.

The Home Office also confirmed that in the same time period 69 flights were chartered, of which five were cancelled.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Even when this Labour Government does manage a deportation flight, many seats are left empty.

“This year is so far the worst on record for illegal Channel crossings. Only the