Sir Keir Starmer has urged French authorities to intercept empty vessels before they pick up asylum seekers bound for the UK, according to reports. The French government is planning to authorise such interventions at sea, targeting unoccupied dinghies or 'taxi boats' used by people-smugglers.
The Prime Minister wrote to President Emmanuel Macron this week, arguing there is 'no effective deterrent' in the Channel and that the tactics must be deployed this month. The letter, seen by Le Monde, comes as nearly 40,000 people have crossed the Channel so far this year.
French police briefly ramped up interventions in July, puncturing boats near beaches, but halted operations in August following objections from the police union. Now, authorities say they will move in before passengers board to avoid endangering lives, though it remains unclear if unions will support the plan.
Steve Smith of the charity Care4Calais warned the move could cost more lives and threatened legal action, saying the only solution is safe asylum routes. The NGO previously challenged UK pushback attempts and won.
The UK has tied further funding for maritime security to French assurances of a tougher presence. A No 10 spokesperson declined to comment on the leaked letter but confirmed regular discussions between the leaders on the issue.
