Immigration minister Chris Philp to discuss migrant crossings with French counterpart
09:51, 11 August 2020
updated: 19:20, 11 August 2020
A senior politician will be discussing migrant crossings with his French counterpart today.
Immigration minister Chris Philp is in Paris amid a rise in illegal journeys between the continent and Kent, a spike which is increasing pressure on the government to take action.
So far this year more than 4,000 have made it across and the recent fine weather prompted 597 crossings between Thursday and Sunday.
Thursday's total - 235 - broke the record for most migrants intercepted in a day. Four more boats have been spotted attempting the crossing today.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently decried the criminal gangs blamed for the risky and unsanctioned journeys, while Home Secretary Priti Patel visited Dover yesterday to see operations first-hand.
She told the Press Association: “The number of illegal small boat crossings we have seen recently is totally unacceptable.
"Our operational partners are dealing with complex challenges associated with them and collectively with the French we need make this route unviable.
“Across Government we are absolutely committed to shutting down this route and we will bring down the criminal gangs that facilitate these illegal crossings.”
Ms Patel's request to use the Royal Navy to deter migrants was met with opposition from both the military and the French government.
It follows a meeting on August 29 last year saw the Home Secretary meeting then-French interior minister Christophe Castaner about the issue, with the latter suggesting Britain should invest more money in tackling the illegal crossings.
A meeting last month - seen as a big success by both sides - prompted the creation of a new intelligence operation between the two countries.
Watch KMTV's report about the talks and the migrant crisis
