Tensions rise in Dover over sanctioning of Channel migrant boat 'pushbacks'
Video report by ITV News Meridian's Sarah Saunders
Home Secretary Priti Patel has triggered a cross-channel war of words by ordering changes to maritime law: allowing the UK Border Force to 'push back' migrant boats heading for Kent and Sussex.In the past 3 days, there have been more than 1,500 migrants arriving at Dover, Dungeness, Hastings and Eastbourne. But France says it will refuse to co-operate with any attempt to force boats back to the French coast. And in Dover today, the idea has been attacked as reckless and unworkable by the union behind the Border Force patrol boat crews.
Kevin Mills, Public and Commercial Services Union
Kevin Mills, from the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "You couldn't do it with anything bigger than the boat they are in because it would swamp them... what I wouldn't want to see is any of our members in the box facing manslaughter charges".
Border Force officials are understood to have already undertaken some training to use the new tactics.
Tactics which would only be used in limited circumstances with larger sturdier boats and could require the Home Secretary to personally approve each operation.
French officials have hit back saying they will not accept any practices which breach maritime law. With campaigners saying this policy would be a shot across the bow, that could endanger life.
Clare Moseley, Care 4 Calais
Clare Moseley, of Care 4 Calais, said: "To think we would ever consider removing that fundamental idea that people's lives and safety is the most important thing."
"I don't have words for how much that shocks and upsets me."
The RNLI who yesterday distanced itself from the proposal, today released a statement, saying:
But the MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke MP, has been calling for a stronger British push-back.
Natalie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover
She said: "We are seeing some absolutely unacceptable numbers of people, getting on for a thousand within a day, we must now look at pushbacks in the English channel".
Until now, the weather has had the greatest power to deter migrant crossings.
Some say this latest proposal could be equally dangerous to those risking their lives to get to British shores.