Starmer's 'one in, one out' deal fails to deter migrants from trying to cross in small boats

MIGRANTS in Calais say they will continue to attempt to cross the Channel to reach the UK despite a new “one in, one out” asylum deal between Britain and France.

- By Lotti O'Brien in Calais Pictures: Phil Harris

The pilot initiative was designed to reduce the number of small-boat crossings by returning illegal arrivals to France in exchange for legally processed asylum seekers with family ties in the UK.

But within hours of Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement, the Express witnessed hundreds of migrants gathering in northern France, preparing to make the journey. Some were trying to board inflatable dinghies following earlier successful launches.

Since the Prime Minister announced what he called a “groundbreaking” deal with French president Emmanuel Macron last Thursday more than 1,200 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats, according to Home Office figures. French gendarmes have intervened in some crossings but their presence remains inconsistent across the northern coastline.

Yesterday morning officers disrupted one attempt by slashing a dinghy near Sangatte beach, just south of Calais. They waded towards the boat, which was carrying more than 40 migrants, and punctured it multiple times.

The migrants, most of whom were men, scrambled back on to the shore and across the dunes. There, aid workers met them with foil blankets and hot drinks.

The group huddled about 200 metres inland while eight French officers dragged the dinghy’s remains away for disposal.