Securing our borders... how's that going, Keir?

French escort dinghy across Channel ahead of PM's speech

- By Michael Knowles Home Affairs Editor

ANOTHER "super dinghy" overloaded with asylum seekers crossed the Channel to the UK just hours before Sir Keir Starmer pledged: "We will secure Britain's borders.

Witnesses said the Chinese-made inflatable was carrying 120 people and shadowed by the French navy to British waters. It came days after a boat with 125 migrants was detected.

The smugglers' switch to supersize vessels has reignited fears that France is failing to intercept migrant boats.

Home Office sources rejected claims the boat was loaded with around 120 people in the Channel yesterday.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "France has played Starmer. He is completely clueless and has lost control of our borders. He boasted earlier this year about how the French would intercept boats near their shore and turn them back.