Border chief blames French for failure to curb small boats

A SOLUTION to the small boats crisis “isn’t going to happen very quickly”, the Government’s border security commander has admitted.

- By Christian Calgie

Martin Hewitt CBE yesterday blamed the ongoing Channel crossings on the French and bemoaned how long Paris is taking to use new anti-dinghy tactics.

He said he had met the French minister responsible for policing the seas three weeks ago “to really press the point” about delivering the changes Sir Keir Starmer is hoping for.

Mr Hewitt said: “It is frustrating that it’s taken the time that it has.”

He also blamed France’s recent political turmoil as a reason behind the delays to implementing new anti-boat policing methods, with president Emmanuel Macron facing calls to resign as he struggles to find viable prime ministers.