Navy should be drafted in over migrants as Border Force just ‘operating collection service’, ex-immigration chief says
AN EX-IMMIGRATION chief has called for the British Navy to be drafted in to handle the Channel migrant crisis, as French authorities refuse to intervene.
Former Chief Immigration Officer for Border Force in Calais, Kevin Saunders, has slammed UK officials for simply "operating a collection service" for stranded migrants.
He urged the military to step in as the number of migrants crossing the English Channel hit record annual figures - with a whopping 8,452 people making the treacherous journey already this year.
Dozens more migrants - including at least eight toddlers - were pictured arriving on UK shores this morning, bringing the total up even further.
Saunders told GB News: "We've got to do something. I think probably we've now reached the point where we need to bring the military in to help us.
"All really Border Force are doing is operating a collection service from the Channel. We need to stop these people.
"We need the military to actually come and take over and help us to do this."
It comes as Tory MPs took aim at the Home Secretary and demanded the UK stops being "fobbed off with excuses".
Giving France more money to carry on doing what they're doing badly, it's ridiculous.
Tim Loughton
Priti Patel claimed the French are "doing their bit" and told the Commons Home Affairs Committee they "have a different interpretation of saving lives at sea".
Ministers were infuriated after Britain agreed to hand over £54million to fund the extra policing between Boulogne and Dunkirk and to expand the patrols further along the coast to the port of Dieppe.
Conservative MP Tim Loughton told Mrs Patel that "giving them more money to carry on doing what they're doing badly, it's ridiculous".
Calais MP, Pierre-Henri Dumont, also denounced the decision to fund France as foolish because migrants will "just find somewhere else to cross".
The French authorities have been slammed for "not doing enough" and exploiting British border resources.
This was again demonstrated on Tuesday when a French warship unbelievably escorted a group of migrants on a tiny dinghy into British waters before leaving them with GMB reporters.
RECORD NUMBER OF CROSSINGS
The ITV crew had to alert UK officials after the ship left the passengers stranded with them at the border.
Previous calls to use the Navy to tackle increasing numbers of migrants were squashed by lawyers who said it would be unlawful and dangerous.
Although the Home Secretary last year announced she had obtained legal advice on the matter who confirmed it would be permitted under international maritime law, the French government said they would consider the move to be illegal.
The warm weather in the UK at the moment seems to have encouraged people smugglers to send as many migrants as they can before the weather deteriorates.
On Tuesday, a number of boats reached the UK after setting off from continental Europe, with dozens landing in Dungeness in Kent.
Many were brought to the beach aboard an RNLI lifeboat, where they were met by immigration officials.
Further along the coast, others were brought to the port of Dover by Border Force.
Tuesday's arrivals came after at least 430 people, including women and young children reached the UK on Monday, a new record for a single day.
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One African migrant told photographers the group had paid £3,000 each for the 10-hour crossing.
Thousands of migrants have continued to make the trip across the Channel packed aboard often unseaworthy dinghies over the last 18 months, putting their lives at risk on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.