A fresh row has broken out over the Channel migrant crisis after a UK Border Force vessel sailed into French waters to pick up asylum seekers, even though the French Navy was right there and didn’t step in.
It happened on Tuesday morning when a dinghy carrying dozens of people broke down around half a mile inside French territory. Witnesses say the boat was clearly in trouble – possibly with deflating tubes – and some on board were signalling distress. Under the rules between the UK and France, it should have been down to the French to handle it. But instead, the UK’s Border Force Ranger moved in and carried out the rescue, reported the Express.
A witness watching the situation unfold was furious: “We’ve given them £490 million to stop the boats, and yet they seem to be letting them carry on. They’re acting more like business partners than border patrol.” He also described the farcical moment the Ranger pushed further into French waters to collect more migrants, seemingly with the French Navy’s blessing.
There’s even an audio clip where a French warship asks the British crew: “What are your intentions with the dinghy?” to which the UK replies: “I am going to export that with the UK Coastguard.” The French response? “Thank you for your cooperation.” Not exactly taking charge.
Critics didn’t hold back. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it a “scandal” and said British ships have no business picking up migrants in French territory. He added that if France won’t stop the crossings, then those arriving in the UK should be swiftly removed to somewhere like Rwanda to send a clear message.
Nigel Farage went further, saying it’s “outrageous” that after handing over half a billion pounds, the French are still escorting migrant boats to the edge of UK waters for us to collect. He labelled the UK’s role as a “taxi service.”
Kevin Saunders, a former senior Border Force officer, was stunned by the latest development. He pointed out that in the past, the French would at least wait at the halfway point. But now, he says they’re asking the UK to come even further into their territory, which undermines any chance of stopping the boats.
All this comes as the number of Channel crossings keeps climbing. Just this week, more than 1,100 people have made it across in flimsy inflatables – a record pace for this point in the year.
While the UK and France are now in talks about a possible “returns” deal, many remain sceptical it will actually stem the tide. For now, it seems the boats are still coming – and the finger-pointing isn’t stopping anytime soon.
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