Business Secretary Peter Kyle has rejected Donald Trump's suggestion that the UK should deploy the military to tackle irregular migration, insisting the bolstered Border Force is sufficient. Speaking after the US president's two-day state visit, Kyle said the government does not need to call on the armed forces to address small boat crossings.
Trump told a press conference at Chequers: 'You have people coming in and I told the prime minister I would stop it, and it doesn't matter if you call out the military, it doesn't matter what means you use.' But Kyle told BBC Breakfast: 'What he suggested was that the military are used, but we have the UK Border Force. It is now established and has been reinforced and bolstered.' He added that the navy has a working relationship with the Border Force and can be called upon if needed, but the military's focus should remain on national defence.
Kyle spoke as an Eritrean man became the second person deported to France under the 'one-in, one-out' pilot scheme, which allows the UK to deport up to 50 people a week in return for accepting the same number. The government has faced legal challenges thwarting some deportations, but Kyle said: 'We are making sure that we are getting as many people who don’t have the right to be here returned as swiftly as possible.'
While the visit was deemed a success by British officials, they failed to secure a reduction in US tariffs on British steel products. Kyle said negotiations would continue, noting Trump had indicated talks would proceed. He also defended the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, citing his 'talents', though he condemned Mandelson's former friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
