BOATS CRISIS IS 'EU REVENGE FOR BREXIT'

'People are dying in our common waters...it's misery on both sides'

- David Williamson

SULKING EU chiefs are prolonging crisis as a the migrant boats punishment for Brexit, a former British borders chief has suggested.

Tony Smith said their refusal to discuss a deal to take back those who cross the Channel illegally smacked of "punishment" for voting to leave the EU.

He also blasted their "hypocrisy" in blocking efforts to strike a deal which could save lives, stop organised crime and ease the asylum crisis costing taxpayers £6million a day. Mr Smith, who served as director general of the Border Force during a Home Office career of more than 40 years, said the "only sure-fire way" to stop the boats is to make it clear illegal migrants will be sent back.

But he said the EU's refusal to discuss a new returns pact at a time when desperate people were routinely drowning has left him wondering if "this is some sort of a Brexit punishment".

In an interview with the Sunday Express, he declared: "People are dying in our common Channel between the EU and the ITZ II: UK. We've got international organised crime on our doorsteps. It is causing untold misery."

Exclusive polling by Omnisis shows strong support for sending back arrivals illegal When asked if "undocumented immigrants who enter from an EU country be sent back to that country", 63 per cent said yes. Only 19 per cent disagreed.

Last night, senior Tories called on Eurocrats to "stop sulking and get cracking" to stop criminals "running riot" and causing deaths at sea.

French President Emmanuel Macron has refused to strike a returns deal and is adamant that any arrangement must be agreed with the EU.

But the European Commission insists it has "no mandate" to do so.

Mr Smith, who ran Border Force in 2012 and 2013, hit out just days after six Afghans died when their packed small boat capsized as they attempted to cross the Channel.