London, June 1 (Petra) -- An international court has ruled that the United Kingdom is not obligated to pay millions of pounds to Rwanda following the cancellation of a controversial asylum deportation scheme, the BBC reported on Monday.

The Rwandan government had sought more than £100 million, accusing London of breaching the terms of a partnership brokered by Britain's previous Conservative administration. Under the original pact, Rwanda was to receive financial support from the UK in exchange for hosting asylum seekers who entered Britain via irregular routes.

However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped the flagship policy shortly after taking office.

During a three-day arbitration hearing held in the Netherlands, lawyers representing the British government argued that abandoning the plan following the Labour Party's election victory was "entirely logical." They maintained that it was common sense that no further funds should be disbursed after the project was halted, denying any breach of agreement.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected Rwanda's financial claims.

Following the ruling, the Rwandan government announced it respected the tribunal's decision and considered the matter closed.

//Petra// AF