First people detained under 'one in, one out' asylum deal

People who arrived in the UK on a small boat have been detained under Keir Starmer's "one in, one out" deal for the first time and are expected to be returned to France within three weeks, the Home Office said yesterday.

- Rajeev Syal Diane Taylor

Detentions began on Wednesday lunchtime, with a group of men being held in immigration centres pending their removal.

The UK would be expected to make referrals to France within three days, and the French authorities would be expected to respond within 14 days, officials said.

A small proportion of migrants arriving on small boats will be selected for removal to France and, in return, Britain will accept an equal number of asylum seekers from France.

The Home Office released footage of the group of men who are being assessed for possible removal. Their faces blurred, they were shown walking into a tent for a medical assessment.

Questions remain over the treaty implementing the "one in, one out" agreement, with immigration lawyers saying that its confusingly worded terms could be challenged by anyone attempting to block their return to France.