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An Iranian man who returned to the UK on a small boat after being sent back to France under the “one in, one out” scheme has been removed for a second time, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said on Wednesday.
The man was flown back to France, despite continuing to insist he is a victim of modern slavery.
A statement from Mahmood on Wednesday emphasised the government’s determination to make the returns scheme work, saying that “anyone looking to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement is wasting their time and money”.
Mahmood continued: “This individual was detected by biometrics and detained instantly. His case was expedited, and now he has been removed again.
“My message is clear: if you try to return to the UK you will be sent back. I will do whatever it takes to scale up removals of illegal migrants and secure our borders.”
The man arrived in the UK for the first time on 6 August and was returned to France on 19 September. He then came back to the UK on a small boat on 18 October and claimed asylum.
Although trafficking indicators were raised, the Home Office made a readmission request to France for him on 21 October, which was accepted on 24 October. His trafficking claim was referred to the “national referral mechanism” for consideration but was rejected on 27 October.
Before his removal he had also been deemed vulnerable and was receiving hourly welfare checks by staff because of concerns about his mental health. He claims to be a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smugglers in northern France. He previously said he had returned to the UK because of fears for his life after violence and threats from smugglers.
He told the Guardian: “If I thought France was a safe place for me I would never have come to the UK.” He is appealing for another safe country to grant him sanctuary.
According to documents relating to his case that the man shared with the Guardian, Home Office officials acknowledge that while asylum seekers can access public mental health care in France, “capacity and language barriers can hinder access in practice”. They add: “Adequate steps will be taken in the UK to forestall any suicide attempt.”
Ministers have been attempting to show the UK-France returns pact has delivered results.
Ninety-four people have been removed under the treaty, while 57 people have been brought to the UK legally through the same scheme, after full documentation, security and eligibility checks.
Officials hope to escalate deportations but French reports in Le Monde claimed French authorities were “dragging it out” to gain leverage in ongoing funding talks over the Sandhurst treaty on cross-border security.
The funding deal – worth £476m over three years – is being renegotiated before its expiry in March.
French unions are also blocking plans to intercept dinghies at sea – tactics promised at this summer’s summit attended by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron – claiming they are too dangerous.
Last year, 36,816 people arrived in the UK via small boats. As of 22 October the figure for 2025 stood at 36,886 – 70 more than last year, with two months to go. There has been an 12-day period without crossings because of poor weather conditions.
