Friday 10 June 2022 10:01 PM Prince Charles brands Home Office Rwanda deportation scheme 'appalling' trends now

Prince Charles has branded the Home Office's Rwanda deportation scheme 'appalling' - but has denied trying to influence government policy.

The Prince of Wales is reportedly angry at Priti Patel's regime to give migrants a one-way ticket to the east African nation in a desperate bid to curb Channel crossings - as he and Camilla are set to represent the Queen for a summit of African leaders later this month.

It comes campaigners and lawyers from Cherie Blair's old chambers lost a High Court bid today to block the Government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda, paving the way for the first flight to go ahead on Tuesday. 

Demonstrators had asked judges to block their upcoming deportation flight, however Judge Mr Justice Swift ruled against the claim and said: 'I do not consider that the balance of convenience favours the grant of the generic relief.'

Charles, 73, who has previously been accused of 'consorting' with the government to push his own agenda on climate change, was allegedly 'more than disappointed at the policy' and feared it could overshadow his visit to Rwanda on behalf of Her Majesty on June 23, a source told The Times.

The heir to the throne was said to be frustrated by policy and privately opposed it several times. 

The source added: 'He said he thinks the government’s whole approach is appalling. It was clear he was not impressed with the government’s direction of travel.'

A Clarence House spokeperson told the newspaper: 'We would not comment on supposed anonymous private conversations with the Prince of Wales, except to restate that he remains politically neutral. Matters of policy are decisions for government.'

It comes as a judge today ruled against a claim by campaigners and lawyers to block migrants heading to Rwanda's upcoming deportation flight.

Mrs Patel told MailOnline: 'I welcome the court's decision in our favour and will now continue to deliver on progressing our world-leading Migration Partnership.

'People will continue to try and prevent their relocation through legal challenges and last-minute claims but we will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people smuggling trade and ultimately save lives.

'Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees – we will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings.'

Lawyers from Cherie Blair's old chambers had branded the Rwanda deportation scheme 'unsafe and irrational' - as the Home Office urged a judge to refuse an injunction seeking to ground flights. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo's army (FARDC) fired two rockets at Rwanda this morning, the country's military said. 

The Rwanda Defence Force said the FARDC fired two 12mm rockets today, leaving locals 'terrified'.

There were no casualties but it comes after similar shelling on March 19 and May 23 that injured people and destroyed homes.   

Up to 130 migrants have been notified they could be removed, with the first 31 people due to leave on the first flight on Tuesday. 

Lawyers for almost 100 migrants have submitted legal challenges asking to stay in the UK with the remaining anticipated to follow suit this week.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) is leading the case alongside charities Care 4 Calais and Detention Action. The groups say the policy is unlawful and LGBT migrants could face discrimination.

Their legal team being led by top QCs Raza Husain and Chris Buttler - both from Matrix - a chamber of liberal barristers' co-founded by Cherie Booth, the wife of former Labour PM Tony Blair. She left in 2014.