Patel says migrants fear torture in France
Home Secretary Priti Patel has said migrants are crossing the Channel to Britain because they believe France is a “racist country” where they may be “tortured”.
According to reports, Ms Patel made her comments in a conference call with Conservative MPS concerned about the recent upsurge in numbers attempting the dangerous voyage in small boats.
The news emerged as more migrants, including a young child, were taken ashore in Dover by the Border Force on Sunday, adding to 65 who were taken to the UK on Saturday.
Government sources said Ms Patel had made clear that she did not share those views and was simply explaining the “pull factors” which led so many migrants to risk their lives in this way.
One MP on the call told The Sun on Sunday: “Priti was asked why the migrants are so desperate to leave France and come here. She told us some believe racism to be an issue. Others claimed they feared being tortured if they stayed in France or Germany.”