Migrants must be 'returned to France' says Patel
after record set for Channel crossings
Friday 7
August 2020, 8:44pm
The home secretary has said migrants attempting to
enter the UK via the English Channel should be returned to France after a new
record was set for the number of people making the crossing.
Priti Patel
said it was "shameful" that a total of 235 migrants crossed the
Channel by boat on Thursday, setting a new record high for crossings in a
single day.
On Friday,
more than 130 migrants arrived in the UK on Friday aboard 13 boats
“The number
of illegal small boat crossings is appalling and unacceptably high," she
said.
Border
Force cutter Seeker and patrol boats Speedwell and Hunter intercepted 17
vessels on Thursday, one of which was carrying 26 people.
It
continues to deal with “a number of ongoing incidents”, the Home Office said.
More than
1,100 migrants arrived in the UK in July alone, PA analysis shows.
That figure
is almost as high as those of May and June combined.
Ms Patel
said she was “working to make this route unviable” by preventing boats from
leaving France as well as intercepting and returning those attempting to make a
crossing.
“This is
complex to do and we face serious legislative, legal and operational barriers,”
she added.
Ms Patel
continued: “We also need the co-operation of the French to intercept boats and
return migrants back to France.
“I know
that when the British people say they want to take back control of our borders
– this is exactly what they mean.”
Thursday’s
figure breaks a record set only a week ago, when 202 people crossed in 24
hours.
The French
authorities said they had also rescued migrants from several kayaks in their
own waters as they headed for the UK.
A
helicopter was used in the response that saw at least 23 people intercepted and
brought back to France.
Chancellor
Rishi Sunak said he understands people's "frustrations" about the
high number of crossings and said the government was working with France to
reduce them.
Calls for
more cooperation with French as migrant crossings reach 'crisis' point
Children
among record number of migrants found crossing Channel
"We
all want to see these crossings being reduced," he said, but added how he
"can't speculate on the exactly the future action that will be
taken".
He said the
immigration minister would be in France next week to discuss how both sides can
"work together" to bring down the numbers.
According
to reports, Home Secretary Priti Patel has ordered a review of the UK’s
maritime presence in the Channel, potentially leading to the Navy to be
deployed to assist the Border Force.
Some
officials sought to distance themselves from suggestions of imminent navy
action.
A Ministry
of Defence source said it was a "completely potty" idea with
"more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese".
They added
that it was "inappropriate and unnecessary" and military resources
should not be drawn upon to address "political failings".
Senior
minister Michael Gove would not rule out the Navy playing a role in the UK's
border security.
When asked
about potential for the Navy to be involved in policing the Channel, Mr Gove
said it is "important" for the UK to not show its hand
"prematurely or unnecessarily".
"The
home secretary will do whatever it takes in order to make sure that our border
is safe but its also important that we don’t have speculation about the steps
that might be required," he added.
"Its
vitally important that people have a guarantee that our borders are secure and
the Home Secretary is eagle eyed in making sure that we can absolutely protect
our borders."
The Home
Secretary's spokesman confirmed considering navy support was one of the
potential options being considered, alongside discussions on bolstering Border
Force resources in the Channel.
Defence
Secretary Ben Wallace is waiting for advice from officials and taking stock of
the situation before taking the matter further, his spokesman said.
The
Ministry of Defence (MoD) has an ongoing arrangement to offer military aid to
civil authorities under a process known as MACA, he said, but this previously
had been in the form of technical support and advice rather than "putting
big boats in the Channel".
Minister
for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: “I share the anger
and frustration of the public at the appalling number of crossings we have seen
today.
“The
crossings are totally unacceptable and unnecessary as France is a safe country.
“We work
closely with France and I will be in Paris early next week to seek to agree
stronger measures with them, including interceptions and returns.
“This
situation simply cannot go on.”
He said the
only option was to make the route “completely unviable” to deter people from
attempting it.
The Home
Office has not yet given a breakdown by gender and nationality of those who
crossed on Thursday.
Mr Philp
said the UK would be returning as many migrants as possible to France and that
return flights were scheduled over the coming days.
He added
that 22 people smugglers have been jailed in the UK so far this year, and that
two more were charged last weekend.
Mr Philp
said he met French deputy ambassador Francois Revardeaux on Wednesday to
discuss the issue, although the Home Office has refused to provide any further
details.
Earlier, it
was announced an inquiry has been launched into the reasons behind the huge
increase in Channel crossings by migrants.
The Home
Affairs Committee in the House of Commons will look at the role of criminal
gangs as well as the responses of UK and French authorities to combat illegal
migration and support legal routes to asylum.
Chair
Yvette Cooper said the committee would "examine the reasons behind the
increase in migrant crossings and the response of the UK and French
authorities".
The
committee will also investigate the conditions experienced by people gathered
in northern France seeking to enter the UK and they risks they faced during the
crossing.
It will
also look at migrants’ treatment by the UK authorities upon their arrival in
the country, particularly the treatment of unaccompanied children.
Ms Cooper
said: “Criminal gangs are making money from putting people in flimsy dinghies
and it is particularly troubling to see children being put at risk."
Labour’s
shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds accused the Government of a “lack of
competence” over migrant crossings.
He said it
is “deeply concerning” and said ministers were “failing to get to grips with
the crisis”.
Dover MP
Natalie Elphicke has met local residents to discuss the issue.
She said on
Twitter on Thursday afternoon: “It’s an unacceptable situation and vital that
these small boats crossings are brought to an end.”
She also
refused to rule out the Royal Navy being drafted in to deal with the situation,
saying that "all options need to be on the table".
Mariam
Kemble Hardy, head of campaigns at Refugee Action, said the majority of
migrants that make the crossing have a valid claim for asylum.
She said:
“The Government could easily help put an end to boat crossings by creating more
safe and legal routes for people fleeing violence and persecution to find
safety here.
“Instead,
it has gone quiet over the future of its resettlement programme, one of the few
safe and legal routes it offered thousands of refugees every year.”
Refugee
Action is calling for the Government to make a long-term commitment to
resettling refugees.
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