Last-minute legal challenges launched as criminals are due to be deported in next 48 hours

Last-minute appeals from Jamaican criminals due to be deported in the next 48 hours have been ‘pouring in’ to the Home Office, the Daily Mail can reveal.

A charter flight is due to remove up to 50 offenders – including murderers, rapists and other sex offenders.

But a series of legal challenges has been launched to allow felons to stay in Britain, including some who have lodged brand new claims for asylum.

Sources say legal challenges are ‘pouring in’ to the Home Office over 50 Jamaican criminals who are about to be deported on a charter plane due to take off in 48 hours (stock image)

The latest flight, sanctioned by Home Secretary Priti Patel, comes after Labour MPs and celebrities likened an earlier charter to the Windrush scandal – a comparison Miss Patel called ‘deeply offensive’.

It is due to take off from a secret location on Wednesday, but a government source said: ‘Legal challenges are already pouring in. But our lawyers are ready.’

All those who have been notified they face removal were born in Jamaica, although some have been in the UK since childhood.

In December, 23 Jamaican nationals were pulled off a plane at the last moment as lawyers lodged new claims, including allegations that criminals had been victims of modern slavery.

The flight took off with only 13 offenders aboard. Those avoiding removal included Michael Antonio White, who is serving life for murder, and Jermaine Stewart, jailed for six years for rape.

Campaigners say criminals have already punished by the courts and so should be allowed to remain in the UK. Pictured: Group of campaigners outside Downing Street in February this year

Campaign group Detention Action, which represents some of those now facing removal, said they had already been punished by the courts and should be allowed to remain here.

Director Bella Sankey said: ‘Deportation should be reserved for people who are not settled in the UK. People brought up here, or who are loving parents to British children, should be allowed to repay their debt to society.’

Deportation flights to Jamaica have become politically charged in the wake of the Windrush scandal, which saw scores of legal migrants from Caribbean countries wrongly removed from Britain.

In December celebrities including supermodel Naomi Campbell and Line of Duty star Thandiwe Newton led calls to stop the flights.