A SKY News article suggesting gunboats should be considered as a way of deterring small boat crossings has been blasted as "grotesque" and "disgusting".
The piece by chief political correspondent Jon Craig is headlined "Is it time for gunboats to help stop the people smugglers?" and was shared not only as a story on social media but sent out as an app notification, meaning it flashed up on people's phones on Sunday evening.
The piece suggests people are looking for "bolder and more radical measures" from the UK Government to deal with the issue of small boat crossings and questions whether Border Force is "fit for purpose".
Craig goes on to say: "Given that Border Force clearly cannot cope with the small boat crossings, is it time to bring in the Royal Navy and some gunboat diplomacy, since the French government clearly is not helping to stop the boats?"
He goes on: "Is it time for a rethink? Earlier this month, the Labour peer Lord Glasman, founder of the socially conservative Blue Labour group, urged the PM to use the Navy and drones in the Channel to stop small boat crossings.
"The Royal Navy could provide better surveillance, since Border Force seems to be failing in that role, and just the sight of naval vessels in the Channel could be a deterrent."
Casually, he says bringing in gunboats could be "another Starmer U-turn" people may welcome.
He wrote: "Another Starmer U-turn, given the MoD's hostility to the Navy's involvement up to now? Gunboats, anyone?"
The headline and piece have attracted huge criticism from political figures and academics including ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana (below).
"We are not going to give them an inch."
Graham Smith, CEO of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, also commented: "What a grotesque headline from a broadcaster. What's next: 'Is it time we chopped people's hands off to stop shoplifting?'"
SNP MSP James Dornan described the article as "completely bonkers", comparing the story to something Fox News would produce.
Professor Julian Petley, a media and journalism expert at Brunel University in London, criticised the piece for being "unbelievably irresponsible and inflammatory".
The piece was written on the back of the Home Secretary announcing plans for a new fast-track asylum appeals process to speed up the process of deporting people without a right to remain in the UK.
Yvette Cooper said "completely unacceptable" delays in the appeals process left failed asylum seekers in the system for years.
But Craig suggested this would not be sufficient method dealing with the problem, as he pointed to the Royal Navy having been brought in before by Boris Johnson.
He wrote: "In January 2022, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the Royal Navy would take command of counter-migration operations in the Channel to deter migrant crossings and intercept boats before they reached British shores.
"It was called Operation Isotrope.
"But after squabbling between the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence and the mayor of Calais attacking a "declaration of maritime war", Rishi Sunak's government handed control back to the Home Office.
"Is it time for a rethink?"
Sky has been approached for comment.
