The Home Office have requested that the Defence chiefs help them deal with the migrant crisis occurring in the English Channel.
Last Thursday, a record 235 people came access the Channel, the highest in a single day. According to the Home Office, over 500 people have been caught making the journey in recent days. They also said at least 151 people arrived in UK on Saturday in 15 boats. A total of 146 people arrived on Friday on 17 boats.
Schools Ministers Nick Gibb has said that there were plans to potentially use boats to “prevent people from leaving”.
The Ministry of Defence have said they were “working hard” to find the best method of assistance following the request for aid.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said of the Channel crossings on Twitter: “There are legislative, legal & operational barriers to stopping small boats. System to return people not fit for purpose & once boats reach UK waters we’re duty bound to help. Route is incredibly dangerous & we’re doing all we can to make it unviable.[1]”
A French politician responded to the idea of using the Royal Navy, saying that the move is “dangerous” and “won’t change anything”.
Mr Pierre-Henri Dumont, the National Assembly member for Calais, told the BBC: “What is the British Navy going to do if it sees a small boat? Is it going to shoot the boat? Is it going to enter French waters?
“It’s a political measure to show some kind of muscle, but technically speaking it won’t change anything.”
He also indicated that the French were not to blame, saying: “We are already trying to do whatever we can. We can’t have a camera and police officer every 10 metres.”
[1] https://twitter.com/pritipatel/status/1292057602155786242
