The UK government is refusing to budge on its plan to use pushback tactics to deter migrants from crossing the Channel, despite the French saying they will not co-operate.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed the controversial method was one of many being considered to deter migrants from making the journey on small boats.
Home Secretary Priti Patel was hit by a backlash this week over reports she had instructed senior law officers to rewrite Britain’s interpretation of international maritime law to allow for Border Force to intercept dinghies.
France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said his country “will not accept any practice contrary to the law of the sea, nor any financial blackmail” from the British.
His comments were in reference to Ms Patel’s threat earlier in the week to withhold a £54 million funding package for Paris to stem the flow of migrants leaving beaches in northern France.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Dowden said in trying to deter illegal migrants, Britain would not employ any tactics that are contrary to international law.
Asked whether he could confirm the tactic had been approved, he replied: “Firstly, in relation to these migrants, it is worth remembering they are coming from a safe country, which is France.
“This has been a persistent problem for a long period of time. The Home Secretary is rightly exploring every possible avenue to stop that.
“We have said that that will include looking at turning migrants back, but that will only be done in accordance with international law and clearly the safety of migrants is absolutely paramount," Mr Dowden said.
“We would not do anything to endanger lives, clearly, but I think the public at large would expect us to be taking measures to prevent people from travelling from the safe country of France to England, and I think it is right to consider all measures.
“The most important thing about this is the real beneficiaries of this are these criminal gangs who are organising this transport – this is really not in the interest of people who of course have their reasons for wanting to come here.”
The number of migrants who have landed on UK shores in small boats since the start of the year is at least 13,000, according to data from the PA news agency.
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
Napoleon
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
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If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
