UK Home Secretary warns turning back people attempting to cross Channel dangerous
December 1, 2021, 1:51 am

UK Home Secretary warns turning back people attempting to cross Channel dangerous

Priti Patel-British politician/Facebook page

The BBC reported that MPs have warned, UK plans to turn back people attempting to cross the Channel are dangerous and probably unlawful.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said last week the tactic would help deter smuggling gangs, following the deaths of 27 people in a small boat.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights is urging Ms Patel to scrap the policy.

The Home Office said it could not comment on border security tactics to avoid giving an advantage to organised crime groups.

Inflatable boat/Pixabay

But a spokesperson said "safe and legal" options to stop boats making the "dangerous and unnecessary journey", and to prevent further loss of life at sea, were being tested.

It comes amid a sharp rise in people making perilous journeys across the English Channel in small boats.

After Wednesday's tragedy, Ms Patel said the government's Nationality and Borders Bill would tackle illegal immigration and the "underlying pull factors into the UK's asylum system".

But, she added, authorising "boat turnarounds" was an example of action she was taking now to combat smuggling gangs.

Source: BBC

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