Desperate Families Failed By The Tories

Campaigners slam Patel over Channel crossings

- Ben Glaze

Charities say Home Secretary Priti Patel is failing desperate families amid a surge in migrant crossings across the Channel.

The number arriving in small inflatable boats this year has already passed the total for 2020, with more than 8,400 sailings through the Dover Strait – the world’s busiest shipping lane.

Ms. Patel yesterday told a Commons committee that the Nationality and Borders bill, which is going through Parliament, will help curb illegal crossings.

But Detention Action director Bella Sankey told the Mirror: “Desperate families are risking their lives crossing the Channel and Priti Patel could give them safe passage with the stroke of a pen.

“Instead, her anti-refugee bill is a petty attempt to win brownie points in a culture war that requires Britain to trash its values on the international stage.