'Labour has lost control of our borders. Their absurd claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters'

SMALL boat smugglers are running a “taxi” service across the Channel, Defence Secretary John Healey admitted as arrivals surged to a daily record for the year.

- By Katie Harris

He conceded that Britain has “lost control of its borders” after 1,194 migrants made the dangerous crossing on Saturday.

The illegal arrivals mark the highest number recorded on a single day so far in 2025.

The Cabinet minister said: "Pretty shocking, those scenes yesterday. Truth is, Britain's lost control of its borders over the last five years and the last Government last year left an asylum system in chaos and record levels of immigration."

The Conservatives branded it as a “day of shame” for Labour and insisted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to “smash the gangs” was “in tatters”.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: “So far 2025 has been the worst year in history for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel and this was the worst day of the worst year. Labour has completely lost control of our borders. Their absurd claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters.

“The Government now needs to demand that the French intercept these boats at sea and return them to France — like the Belgians already do.

“And every single illegal immigrant that arrives in the UK should be immediately removed to a place outside Europe.

“Then the crossings would soon stop. It’s as simple as that. This madness must end.”

'Tory chaos'...

John Healey also hit out at the Government over the record day for crossings so far this year.

MP Lee Anderson insisted Britain must cut ties with the European Convention on Human Rights in order to get a grip on the issue.