Channel crossings hit highest number for two months as hundreds arrive at UK border amid Rwanda asylum plan

More than 400 people were rescued and brought ashore after attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK, the latest figures show. It comes as the government's controversial plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda hit a hurdle when the European court stopped the first scheduled flight from departing on Tuesday night.

Home secretary Priti Patel said she was surprised by the European Court of Human Right's (ECHR) intervention, which overruled domestic judicial decisions made in the UK Supreme Court, but told MPs today that it was “inevitable” there would be legal challenges to the government’s new policy. She said the court’s decision was “disappointing and surprising” but “we remain committed to this policy”.

Hundreds of people who arrived at British shores appeared to be unaware that there was a possibility they could be put on a flight to the African nation, after reaching the UK from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence said that 11 small boats had been intercepted on Tuesday off Dover, Ramsgate and Dungeness in Kent, carrying a total of 444 people - the highest number of people since 562 were recorded on April 14 earlier this year.

READ MORE: ITV Good Morning Britain viewers make demand over Richard Madeley after 'stupid' Rwanda question

At least four ships brought migrants into Dover – one RNLI lifeboat and three Border Force vessels. Among those rescued were a heavily pregnant woman, a number of babies carried by their parents or Border Force staff, and one father carrying his toddler son on his shoulders as they were brought ashore.

Upon being asked if they knew they could be sent to Rwanda, one migrant replied: “What? No,” while others looked on in apparent confusion.

With warm weather and low