GB News has revealed that a small boat reached within one mile of a Kent beach before authorities were alerted, in what presenter Martin Daubney described as an "astonishing" development in the ongoing illegal migration crisis. The announcement, made on Wednesday (October 7), is expected to increase pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has faced criticism in recent months over his handling of small boat crossings.
Migrant dinghy intercepted near Kent coast
"Brace yourselves for another astonishing GB News exclusive because an illegal migrant dinghy has been intercepted in the Channel this morning less than one mile from landing on a Kent beach," Daubney told viewers. GB News can exclusively reveal that the dinghy was intercepted in the Channel, less than a mile from the Kent coast.
"Just one mile away, this dinghy just cruised up. But it gets worse because GB News understands that the authorities were only alerted to this illegal craft after one of the illegal migrants on board decided to use their own mobile phone to call the coastguard themselves," he continued.
Presenter questions border control
Daubney added: "You could not make it up. Simply sail into British waters less than one mile from our coast, at a time when crafts are simply coming ashore and illegals are charging off into villages and sand dunes. We have no idea where they are from Lincolnshire to Cornwall."
"A dinghy, simply one mile away, phoning their own rescue service in. What a country. What a joke," he said.
Questions over French-British communication
Joined by political correspondent Olivia Utley, the presenter suggested the development supports the idea that Burnham and the Labour government have lost control of UK borders. "It is an astonishing story. It's not quite as horrific as what happened just a few weeks ago when two boats were able to reach British shores completely unaccompanied," Utley said.
She noted that Labour ministers admitted they could not confirm how many migrants had entered the country or what they were doing here. "This boat was intercepted a mile off the shores of Dover but only as you say, because one of the migrants on board phoned the British coastguard himself," she added.
"It raises enormous questions about the communication between the French and the British. Did the French know about this and if they did, why weren't the British authorities informed?" Utley said.
