The small boat crossings into this country are illegal, unacceptable and incredibly unsafe. We saw another fatality only last week from someone trying to make the crossing, showing how dangerous the journey is.
I would like the government to take an Australian style approach, where illegal crossings are intercepted, the individuals are brought to safety and then returned to their country of origin.
We need to send a message that if people attempt illegal entry into this Country via boat, they will be refused asylum and turned away.
France is a safe country and genuine asylum seekers must take refuge at their first arrival.
I am grateful for the strong work the Home Secretary is doing including in pressing the French to take much firmer enforcement action, cracking down on the disgusting people smugglers who facilitate this crime, and bolstering our enforcement activities to return everyone who attempts the crossing.
To date, the National Crime Agency, Border Force and the Police have been working closely with French authorities to crack down on the criminals who facilitate these dangerous crossings, with 11 people suspected of organising crossings arrested in a single day last month.
The UK Government is also funding patrols on the beaches of northern France to prevent migrants from crossing in the first place.
During a zoom call with me, Priti Patel said she recognised the concerns shared by many in Redcar and Cleveland and added that there was more the Home Office can do including stopping boats leaving France in the first place and intercepting and returning anyone attempting to make a crossing.
The Home Secretary also said that after the UK leaves the EU transition period at the end of 2020, the Government will no longer be bound by EU laws and will be free to negotiate its own returns agreement.
This will mean an end to the current inflexible and rigid asylum regime that is abused by both migrants and activist lawyers to frustrate the returns of those who have no right to be here.
Instead the Government will create a new asylum system that is balanced and fair, protecting it from abuse but ensuring the most vulnerable people who are genuinely in need of our help, can receive the protection they need.
Whilst the Home Secretary conceded that it will not be an easy task – with legislative, legal and operational barriers to be overcome – I am assured by the Home Secretary that under her leadership, the Government will do everything in its power to achieve this task and stop these crossings.
Read the article, including Labour’s response, here: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18677845.mp-calls-australian-approach-illegal-immigration/
