Home Office refuses to say if Channel migrants are already being pushed back

The government has vowed to press ahead with plans to force migrant boats back to France after the English Channel’s deadliest disaster, but is refusing to say whether any pushbacks have already happened.

- LIZZIE DEARDEN

Ministers have repeatedly said that the operations have been “authorised” and claimed they are “safe and legal”, despite concerns raised by the UN Refugee Agency and others.

But Home Office officials have refused to confirm if any pushbacks have yet taken place, claiming that they cannot comment for “operational reasons and to avoid giving an advantage to the serious organised criminal groups facilitating these crossings”.

Unions representing Border Force staff have told The Independent they are unaware of any pushbacks happening since the tactic was announced two months ago.

During a debate in parliament following the deaths of at least 27 people in a dinghy sinking, an MP said the disaster should result in the plans being dropped. Scottish National Party MP Martyn Day asked Priti Patel to “commit to ending all discussion of the UK using dangerous and life-threatening pushback tactics in the Channel”. The home secretary did not directly address the question and responded by saying she was “disappointed by the honourable gentleman’s tone and comments”.

Home Office minister Tom Pursglove refused to answer questions on whether the powers had yet been used, while appearing on BBC Newsnight. He said maritime commanders would make operational decisions “in the event of these tactics being deployed”.