Home Secretary Priti Patel says there's 'no quick fix' to tackle channel crossings
Its after 27 people drowned in a dinghy boat near Calais
Last updated 27th May 2022
Home Secretary Priti Patel has said there is "no quick fix" to tackle migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.
Ms Patel said the drownings were a "dreadful shock" and described the crossings as "absolutely unnecessary" after renewing an offer of sending British officers to join patrols on French beaches during a call with French interior minister Gerald Darmanin.
Giving an urgent statement to MPs, Ms Patel said:
"There needs to be France and UK corporation and joint patrols to stop these dangerous journeys from taking place.
She added: "I will do what is absolutely necessary to secure the area so that vulnerable people do not risk their lives getting into dinghy boats”
'There is no quick fix'
The Home Secretary added:
"There is also no quick fix. This is about addressing long-term pull factors, smashing the criminal gangs that treat human beings as cargo and tackling supply chains."
Priti Patel addressed how the scale of the problem was further illustrated by new figures from the Home Office showing asylum claims in the UK have hit their highest level for nearly 20 years.
Caused by soaring Channel migrant crossings and a rise in numbers following the coronavirus pandemic.
Joint Channel patrols with France is needed
Ms Patel went on to say:
“I’ve offered to work with France to put officers on the ground and do absolutely whatever is necessary to secure the area so that vulnerable people do not risk their lives by getting into unseaworthy boats.”
She added that she was glad the French president, Emmanuel Macron, had “indicated his determination to stop the vile people smuggling gangs”.
Misuse of language:
Priti Patel also said that “migrants don’t drown. People drown. Men, women and children drown.
“Even during the Afghan operations and Op Pitting I heard a lot of language that quite frankly seemed to be inappropriate around people who were fleeing."
Responding to the devastating news last night, Dr Waheed Arian, a NHS frontline worker, shared his views on the term 'migrant':
Priti Patel concluded:
"We need to more together" and the "UK should look at all options" to deal with the migrant crisis, including stopping boats entering territorial waters.
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