Migrant on arriving in UK from Calais: 'It was my dream come true'

Hamad Said has now arrived in the UK after being rescued from a boat in the Mediterranean. Credit: ITV News

In June, HMS Bulwark rescued more than 1,000 migrants from boats in the Mediterranean in just one day.

Many of them had begun their journey across the continent, seeking a new life in Europe.

Hamad Said, a 26-year-old migrant from Sudan, and 377 others were trapped on a drifting boat before being taken aboard Bulwark and transported to Sicily.

At the time, he spoke to ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen, about his plan to first go to Rome and from there to France with the UK as his final destination.

Hamad spoke about his plans to get to the UK by lorry or plane. Credit: ITV News

Hamad then joined a group of other migrants who were keen to move on. They managed to catch an old taxi willing to take them to Rome, and Hamid squeezed into the boot of the vehicle with a number of others.

The men packed themselves into a crowded taxi heading to Rome. Credit: ITV News

Nearly two months on, Hamad has managed to get to England and Carl caught up with him again in Peterborough.

Hamad managed to get to the UK by clinging on to the undercarriage of a lorry at Calais. "I stayed there for five for six hours", he said.

He said he decided to come here "because I like England, it was my dream come true".

He has now received a letter from the Home Office informing him he can claim an initial £90 followed by £35 a week while he makes his application to stay in the UK. His accommodation costs are also being met.

Hamad added that he was escaping persecution in Sudan and hasn't come here for the benefits but did know he would be looked after in the UK.

"Everybody's talking about this (benefits) in France and Italy, everybody wants to come here to the UK", he said.