Suella Braverman was accused of being in "complete denial" after she claimed on Sunday it was unfair to say the huge hold-ups at Dover were "an adverse effect of Brexit".
Despite recurring problems with gridlock in Kent in 2021 and 2022, the home secretary claimed checks were "operating very smoothly at the border" - blaming current woes on bad weather and it being "a very busy time of year".
But Mr Sunak's official spokesperson said "a combination of factors" were to blame, including new passport control processes, poor weather and the high volume of traffic at Easter.
Asked about the role of post-Brexit checks, the spokesperson acknowledged that French officials are now required to inspect and stamp every passport as passengers leave the UK.
"Obviously we recognise there are new processes in place," they said on the manual checks.
"That's why authorities were given a long time to prepare for the new checks including during the transition period, of course, and we are in discussion with our French counterparts about how we can further improve the flow of traffic."
The No 10 officials said the government was "working with our French counterparts in increasing our ability to move traffic and passengers through freely".
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin April 04, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin April 04, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Why Lawson got Red Bull seat over unlucky Tsunoda
Surely Yuki Tsunoda believed this would be his time for the highly coveted promotion.
Sad tale of an entertainer turned middling curiosity
Jack Grealish has sacrificed flair for silverware at City but as he returns home to Villa Park, he'll wonder if it was worth it
Spurs survive 'self-inflicted' collapse to reach cup semis
As Son Heung-min wheeled away and the Tottenham fans in the South Stand bounced their way into the Carabao Cup semifinals, it was fitting in this bonkers, breathless tie that the winning goal against Manchester United would come straight from a corner kick.
A rocky road ahead but we are not quite in stagflation
Should “stagflation” be our word of the day? It’s the term used by the parents of proto-central bankers to scare them into eating their broccoli. It applies when you have slow or no economic growth, high inflation and high interest rates.
Australia's coal expansion a 'death sentence' for islands
Australia’s decision to expand four coal mines has been slammed by island nations as a death sentence” and a betrayal of global climate commitments.
Healthcare killing suspect receives fan mail and cash
Luigi Mangione, the suspect at the centre of the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting, has received more than 100 pieces of mail just over a week after he was taken into custody, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed to The Independent.
Russia is 'ready to negotiate and compromise', Putin says
A rare 13th-century Bible will return to its ancestral home in Salisbury Cathedral more than 700 years after it was written, thanks to the help of The Independent.
Mum relives horror of her teenage son's fatal stabbing
The grieving mother of a teenage boy has described the harrowing moment her son died in her arms after a brutal knife attack near their home in Bristol.
Independent helps raise £90,000 to return medieval Bible to Salisbury Cathedral
A rare 13th-century Bible will return to its ancestral home in Salisbury Cathedral more than 700 years after it was written, thanks to the help of The Independent.
Avanti managers turn down £250 offer for working day off as new year strike looms
Train managers at Avanti West Coast have turned down an offer worth £250 for working on a day off – or £300 at weekends.
