An asylum seeker who arrived in the United Kingdom on a small boat cannot be removed to France pending a full legal challenge, London's High Court has ruled, in an early setback to the UK government's plan to return such migrants.

A 25-year-old Eritrean man, who arrived in the UK on August 12, won an interim injunction that prevented his removal on a flight to France on Wednesday morning under a "one in, one out" pilot scheme announced by the UK 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 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing mounting pressure to stop small boats taking asylum seekers across the Channel fro

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