'Over 10,000 have crossed since this deal ...removing just three is pathetic, boasting about it is absurd'

LABOUR has been ridiculed for "boasting" about its new migrants return deal with France as just three were sent back in the first five days.

- By Michael Knowles Home Affairs Editor

Deputy Premier David Lammy called Sir Keir Starmer's "one-in, one-out" pact a "milestone", while up to 1,000 asylum seekers crossed to the UK in small boats yesterday.

That would take the total of arrivals this year to almost 32,000, leaving Labour's claims of "smashing the gangs" in tatters. Migrants continued to arrive last night - and Channel smugglers have vowed to launch even bigger boats, believing they can send 2,000 in dinghies every day.