So much for Priti’s promise! Now Channel migrants hit new record...
A DANGEROUSLY packed dinghy of migrants enters British waters yesterday – as it emerged a record number reached our shores this month.
The men, women and children smiled and waved moments before they were picked up by a Border Force vessel in the Channel.
Their dinghy was escorted by a French naval ship and was one of seven boats carrying 57 migrants intercepted yesterday.
some 588 illegal immigrants have reached the UK’s shores in dinghies in May – many escorted by the French navy.
With more than a week left until the end of the month, the total has already passed the previous high of 523 in April.
The home Office defended the French merely shadowing the people smugglers’ boat – claiming the primary duty was to make sure it did not sink and the migrants ‘did not die’. It said international maritime law ruled it unlawful to intervene unless those on board requested rescuing.
But the record numbers will pile pressure on home secretary Priti Patel, who had pledged she would virtually eliminate crossings by spring. It will also fuel anger that the French are not doing enough despite being given millions of pounds.
Migrants are routinely escorted to British ports if they reach our maritime territory.
The French navy alerts UK border guards when illegal vessels are heading here. Tory MP Natalie elphicke, who represents Dover, said: ‘The situation has gone on for too long and is not acceptable. I have been calling for all illegal entrants to be returned – because these crossings will only stop when it’s made clear they won’t succeed.’
Calm weather has provided perfect conditions for trafficking gangs, who charge desperate migrants thousands of pounds to cross the world’s busiest shipping lane.
Yesterday Miss Patel held a conference call with 30 Tory MPs about the crisis. she claims it cannot be tackled properly until the end of the Brexit transition.
earlier this month, it was revealed she had held discussions with her French counterpart over a plan to turn back more boats to France even if they reach British waters.
since January, at least 1,577 migrants have been picked up by the Border Force.