First detentions for Rwanda flights under way

Migrants identified for deportation to Rwanda have started to be detained, the government has said.

Legislation aimed at reviving the plan to send some asylum seekers to the east African country was passed into law last week.

The policy seeks to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats.

The Home Office did not say how many people had been detained but it said more operations were due to be carried out in the coming weeks.

It said the detentions followed a series of nationwide operations this week.

The announcement came the day before people in England go to the polls in local elections.

The government had previously said it was aiming for flights to take off by the spring but now says this should happen in nine to 11 weeks.

However, the plan could still be held up by legal challenges.

Anyone who the Home Office is considering to send to the African country must be given at least seven days' written notice of that intention, so that they have an opportunity to respond.

It's not clear if the people taken into detention have received that notice yet - but even if they have, it does not mean a flight would be imminent because individuals have the right to launch a legal challenge.