Starmer fastest PM to hit 60,000 illegal arrivals

PM denies returns scheme is a failure

- By Michael Knowles Home Affairs Editor

SIR Keir Starmer defended his migrant deal with France as new analysis revealed the scale of Labour's failure.

He is the quickest PM to hit the 60,000 illegal arrivals milestone, surging past the figure in 475 days.

Rishi Sunak had 50,637 during his 618 days in office while it took Boris Johnson 1,125 days to hit 60,000, the Daily Express found.

This came as Sir Keir tried to defend his “one in, one out” deal after a migrant made a mockery of the scheme.

The PM insisted the Iranian asylum seeker who returned to the UK after being deported to France had made a “completely pointless” small-boat crossing.

But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the Express: “This is yet another pathetic Labour gimmick which is falling apart.