SO HOW IS THE ONE-IN, ONE-OUT SCHEME GOING KEIR?

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

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 yesterday evening - and Channel smugglers have vowed to launch even bigger boats, believing they can send 2,000 people in dinghies every day.

An Indian migrant became the first to be deported from Britain on Thursday morning, following days of thwarted attempts.

One Eritrean was then flown to France yesterday morning, followed by an Iranian later in the day.

Mr Lammy's verdict that the deal is an "immediate deterrent" was mocked by Opposition MPs. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "Labour is boasting about removing just three illegal immigrants, but hundreds crossed the Channel. Since this deal was announced, over 10,000 have crossed.

"Removing just three is pathetic - and boasting about it is absurd. Migrants in France are openly saying they don't care and will cross anyway.

"They should bin the Human Rights Act for immigration matters and deport every single illegal immigrant immediately upon arrival - back to their home country or to somewhere like Rwanda.