Two-thirds of detainees due to be deported to Jamaica removed from list

Home Office says Wednesday's flight will go ahead despite passenger numbers being depleted by appeals and Covid outbreak

Almost two-thirds of people due to board a controversial deportation flight to Jamaica on Wednesday evening have been removed from the flight, while numbers on the plane are expected to dwindle further as appeals go through the courts.

The Home Office has said the flight will go ahead despite the numbers of passengers being depleted by a Covid outbreak at an immigration removal centre and by legal challenges.