Priti Patel faced renewed pressure over the migrant crisis last night after it emerged UK border patrols have picked up dinghies on the French side of the Channel on 'a number of occasions'. An exchange on open radio frequencies showed British officers negotiated the 'legality' of the manoeuvre with a French patrol ship. It is understood there has been resistance towards tougher responses at sea – including turning small boats back to France – from within Border Force itself. 'While criminal gangs are continuing to profit, the Border Force front-line are under increasing pressure and our asylum system under more strain. Border Force wouldn't pick up a consignment of drugs or guns in the middle of the Channel and bring them into Dover.'

Source: Daily Mail June 06, 2021 21:28 UTC