Keir Starmer to vow not to turn a blind eye to migrants who die crossing Channel
SIR Keir Starmer will vow not to turn a blind eye to the migrants who die in Channel crossings.
In a speech today, the Prime Minister will say there is “nothing progressive” about ignoring deaths in small boats.
The total number of people killed in the crossings this year is at least 58.
It is already the deadliest year for small boat disasters — and more than 5,000 migrants crossed the Channel in October alone.
In total, 31,904 people have made the journey so far this year, up 16.5 per cent on the same point in 2023.
Sir Keir is expected to say at the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow: “I was elected to deliver security for the British people.
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“And strong borders are a part of that.
“But security doesn’t stop at our borders.
“There’s nothing progressive about turning a blind eye as men, women and children die in the channel. This is a vile trade that must be stamped out. So we’re taking our approach to counter- terrorism, which we know works, and applying it to the gangs, with our new Border Security Command.”
An extra £75million of funding will be announced to boost border security, to go towards investigators and surveillance used by the National Crime Agency.
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Last month, three died after an overloaded boat sank in the Channel.
In September, six children and a pregnant woman were among 12 killed when an overcrowded boat sank.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Smuggler gangs profit from putting lives at risk and they’ve been getting away with it for too long.”
NCA director general Graeme Biggar added: “Collaborations with Interpol have never been as important as they are today.”
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Keir Starmer’s announcement will mean nothing without a deterrent to stop migrants wishing to make the journey.
“If Starmer continues to ignore the need for a deterrent, there will be more deaths in the Channel.”