The Home Secretary Priti Patel has vowed to close a loophole that is currently allowing hundreds of illegal migrants to cross the channel from France.
The loophole was exposed by Nigel Farage in a video uploaded to his personal Twitter account and later, LBC’s YouTube channel.
An article posted by The Express has described Patel as being ‘furious’ about the illegal migrant issue. The Home Secretary plans to change international law in the Channel in order to close the loophole.
Current law does not give the French authorities legal power to stop the boats from crossing the channel but they do have a duty to rescue. Due to the precariousness of the crafts, they shadow them whilst in French waters.
The illegal migrants only ever require help when they get into British waters (how very convenient) once they have become the responsibility of the UK’s Border Force.
A source close to the Home Secretary has said this is why she is seeking to change the law. Enabling the interception and turning around of boats before they enter British waters.
A couple of suggestions have been put forward including changing international law to enable French authorities to intercept the boats before they leave their waters.
Another suggestion from the Home Office is to allow Border Force to intercept boats in French territory and take them back to France.
Mr Farage believes that Ms Patel is “perhaps not being told the truth” on the issue. The UK has spent over £60 million in northern France on measures to prevent crossings. More taxpayer money wasted.
In a conversation with the Sunday Express Mr Farage warned that the coastline of Kent is “facing an invasion” this summer unless action is taken immediately. Several Conservative MPs have already written to the government demanding swift action.
Mr Farage added “the big problem is that virtually nobody is being returned. Basically, there is a big sign on the white cliffs of Dover saying ‘come here illegally, you can stay, we will give you accommodation, you’ll be fine.’
“The reality of course is many of them will be picked up by the gangmasters and will become part of modern slave Britain. We should be ashamed of ourselves in that regard. But I am also worried security wise. Who is to say we haven’t got ISIS [terrorist] supporters coming through this route?”
This issue has gone on for years and cannot be solved by just throwing money to the French. The French should be equally liable for this crisis and until the law is changed, they won’t be.
While we’ve all been stuck in lockdown; illegal migrants have been merrily crossing the channel, costing us money, creating a risk to our health and our safety.
Action must be taken.
