'Traffickers and are laughing, smashing the gangs is a pipe-dream

SIR Keir Starmer was ridiculed last night for unveiling a "gimmick" to try and end the Channel migrant crisis.

- Michael Knowles

The Prime Minister declared that people smugglers must be treated like terrorists and seen as a global security threat.

He said the "world needs to wake up to the severity" of the crisis and claimed he wanted Britain to lead EU operations targeting smuggling gangs on the continent, due to the UK's "rich" intelligence and law enforcement expertise.

But critics slammed his plans, saying "traffickers are laughing" and that "smashing the gangs is just a pipe-dream".

The PM, opening the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, told global leaders: "We've got to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream, working together to shut down the smuggling routes."

But Reform UK goaded the PM over his flagship announcement, declaring: "Contrary to his plan to end gimmicks, this plan is big gimmick." Party leader Nigel Farage told the Daily Express: "During the general election I declared the situation in the Channel a national security emergency.

"I am pleased that the Prime Minister now agrees with me, but unless we deport people that come here illegally the numbers will continue to rise. Now Kemi Badenoch has been elected leader of the Conservative Party, they are committed to staying in the ECHR.

"That means the Tories will never stop the boats either." Reform UK MP Lee Anderson added: "We have been told for months by Starmer that they will smash the gangs and stop small boat crossings. Tories and Labour alike have continued to make promise after promise to end this out-of-control border crisis.

"The reality is that Labour never had any intention or plan to stop illegal migration to do that they would have had to face up to the fact that we need to leave the ECHR.

"Labour's first months in office have been a resounding failure.

"This plan is nothing but a desperate attempt to paper over the gaping cracks.