EU outrage threatens PM's Anglo-French migrant deal

Watching brief... French police see migrants prepare to cross Channel

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

THE PM's hopes of announcing a breakthrough in stopping small boat crossings have been dealt a blow after a row with EU allies.

Sir Keir Starmer planned to sign a deal with France’s president, Emmanuel Macron this week, letting the UK return some migrants who arrive via the Channel illegally in return for accepting a similar number of asylum seekers from France.

But the “one in, one out” idea faces objections from nations such as Italy, Spain, Greece and Malta where asylum seekers often arrive before going elsewhere in Europe.

Their leaders warned the European Commission the Anglo-French pact may set a precedent, with large numbers of migrants being returned to their countries.