The government performed a u-turn when ministers dropped plans to remove the right of asylum seekers to challenge asylum decisions in the courts, writes Amy Taylor.
The government changed its plans after learning former lord chancellor Lord Irvine was due to criticise the measure in the second reading of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Bill in the House of Lords.
Lord Falconer, the current lord chancellor, said the government would replace the plans with a new system allowing asylum seekers to appeal to the courts. He admitted that his decision was influenced by Lord Irvine.
A spokesperson for the Department of Constitutional Affairs said that no details of the new system were available.
The proposals to create a single tier of appeal for asylum seekers outside the scrutiny of the courts had attracted strong criticism from the judiciary.
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15 July 2008
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill published
22 June 2005
Controversial act given royal assent
29 July 2004
Government backtracks on appeals
18 March 2004
Details of government consultations
21 August 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
