People smugglers claiming asylum 'will be prosecuted'

BORDER chiefs have denied claims that dinghy pilots who apply for asylum are not being prosecuted.

- BY MICHAEL KNOWLES Home Affairs Editor

Migrants wade out to join crowded dinghy leaving French shores at Gravelines in October

Fifty-four migrants who skippered small boats to our shores in the summer went on to seek sanctuary — 17 of them said they were victims of modern slavery.

The Modern Slavery Act has become a major obstacle to deportation attempts of failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals.

Critics say the alleged pilots were using asylum to dodge justice after Sir Keir Starmer’s government repealed a law blocking illegal arrivals from obtaining refuge.

However, the Home Office said: “Claiming asylum will not prevent us from prosecuting those who pilot these dangerous small boat crossings.

“We will do whatever it takes to secure our borders. And thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can be detained and removed to France.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Every decision here carries a political fingerprint.

“The reflex to process instead of deter, the reluctance to test claims, the fear of offending the activist recruit migrants for crossings. These new powers will allow law enforcement to seize illegal migrants’ phones before an arrest so we can gather intelligence and shut down these vile smuggling gangs before they attempt to risk more lives in these dangerous journeys.”