The Rwandan government has launched legal action against the UK to seek payments it claims it is owed under a scrapped migrant deal between the two countries.
Rwanda has filed a case with the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing the UK has failed to honour commitments made in a deal to send some asylum seekers to the African nation.
Under the deal, which was signed by the previous Conservative government, the UK agreed to make payments to Rwanda to host asylum seekers and support its economy.
But after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer axed the deal in 2024, the Home Office said £220m in scheduled future payments will not have to be paid to Rwanda.
The BBC has asked the Home Office for comment.
The prime minister's spokesman said the government would robustly defend our position to protect British taxpayers. The Rwanda scheme was described as a complete disaster, wasting £700m of taxpayer cash to return just four volunteers.
A Rwandan government adviser stated that dialogues had been pursued prior to initiating arbitration. The arbitration process is set to determine the rights and obligations under the treaty according to international law.
The PCA, which resolves international disputes, will handle the arbitration initiated by Rwanda, which concerns the execution of specific commitments outlined in the treaty. The case status is currently pending, and it can take years to finalize.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized Labour for scrapping the scheme, implying this legal action will financially burden British taxpayers, as Rwanda declares it has no obligation to refund any payments.
