LONDON (Reuters) – An asylum seeker who arrived in Britain on a small boat cannot be removed to France pending a full legal challenge, London’s High Court ruled on Tuesday, in an early setback to the British government’s plan to return such migrants.

The 25-year-old Eritrean man, who arrived in Britain on Aug. 12, won an interim injunction that prevented his removal on a flight to France at 0800GMT on Wednesday under a “one in, one out” pilot scheme announced by Britain and France in July.

Judge Clive Sheldon said there was a “serious issue to be tried” in relation to whether the man’s claim to be a victim of trafficking prevented his removal to France.

Tuesday’s decision is a blow to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing mounting pressure to stop small boats taking asylum

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