New Page 1

A High Court judge has order a halt to deportations of failed asylum seekers to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a major defeat for the Home Office, Mr Justice Collins said no one should be removed until the African country's safety record was reconsidered.

The judge said there needed to be an expert ruling on whether DR Congo was safe for failed asylum seekers.

Campaigners say the Home Office was planning removals before an assessment of the country's human rights record.