Border Force bases in France to smash migrant smugglers
BRITAIN and France are enjoying a “fundamental shift” in relations as officials close in on a migrant deal.
UK Border Force officers are set to become “overseers” in French control rooms to smash people-smuggling gangs using the Channel.
They will be able to act on live intelligence rather than sending it to the French for it to be executed.
This will enable them to stop more crossings and snare more of the gangs operating in Northern France.
Downing Street yesterday revealed a new deal between London and Paris – worth around £80million – was nearly complete.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Sky News: “The mood music seems to be good at the moment. We’re in the final stages of what could be an agreement, which would be very good news.
“I think there has been a fundamental shift in the tone between ourselves and the French.”
Almost 40,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel this year, leading to overcrowding at the Manston processing centre in Kent. The site is designed to house people for 24 to 48 hours.
Yesterday, a migrant there was pinned to a fence and dragged away after he tried to speak to reporters.
Photographers were taking pictures shortly after a visit by a cross-party group of MPs when the man shouted “help” repeatedly and waved.
Staff asked him to stop after he claimed he had been at the site for 30 days. When he refused he was photographed being pinned against a fence by four or five members of staff before being taken away.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has taken urgent decisions to alleviate issues at Manston and source alternative accommodation.
“We take the safety and welfare of those in our care extremely seriously and all basic needs are provided for.”