Labour faces explosive accusations of presiding over a “full-blown borders crisis” after a migrant boat reached British shores without interception for the first time in nearly three years – sparking fierce political condemnation.
The small boat successfully made landfall on a Kent beach on Saturday completely undetected by Border Force vessels, the Daily Mail reported.
The shocking incident marks the first time the Home Office has recorded a so-called “uncontrolled” landing since December 2022 – raising serious questions about border security under Labour. The report comes as at least one dead as helicopters scramble to Channel tragedy.
A Home Office spokesperson refused to comment as an internal investigation continues into Saturday’s alarming breach, said the Daily Mail.
Opposition fury at Labour’s border failures
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp launched a blistering attack on the Government, declaring: “We have not seen uncontrolled landings for years, until now – this is a symptom [of the fact] that Labour cannot even remotely control what is going on across the Channel.
“This is now a full-blown borders crisis.”
He delivered a devastating blow to Labour’s immigration policy, adding: “The last government had the Rwanda plan to stop the boats which Labour cancelled just before it was due to start.
“It was a huge mistake by Labour to scrap it with no replacement. This year so far has been the worst in history for Channel crossings as a result. This incident is another example of the uncontrolled border chaos unfolding under Labour.”
History of tough Conservative measures
During the early stages of the Channel crisis, multiple unescorted boats successfully reached British shores with migrants vanishing from beaches before authorities could apprehend them.
The previous Conservative government responded with a series of hardline measures to combat the escalating problem.
In 2020, then-Home Secretary Priti Patel appointed a Clandestine Channel Threat Commander specifically focused on preventing uncontrolled landings.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson deployed the Royal Navy for crucial Channel patrols in 2022, though the Navy was withdrawn eight months later when successor Rishi Sunak established a Small Boats Operational Command.
Under Labour’s revamped Border Security Command, UK Border Force bears responsibility for intercepting all migrant dinghies crossing the Channel.
Military involvement appears restricted to providing vital surveillance equipment rather than active patrols.
A sophisticated nerve centre at Lydd Airport in Kent, 25 miles south-west of Dover, coordinates the deployment of £6million military “Watchkeeper” drones across the Channel.
Operated by 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, the advanced drones hunt migrant boats using high-definition optical sensors and cutting-edge infrared cameras.
Saturday’s security breach revealed
Saturday’s uncontrolled landing occurred around 8pm, prompting immediate response from police and immigration officers who detained five individuals for processing, the Home Office confirmed.
A Kent Police spokesperson revealed: “At 7.50pm on Saturday, September 6, Kent Police was called to a report of suspected migrants near Kingsdown, Deal. Patrols attended and five people were detained and passed to Border Force officers.”
Record day of crossings
The incident unfolded during one of this year’s most chaotic days for migrant crossings, with a staggering 1,096 arrivals recorded in just 24 hours.
This marked only the second occasion this year exceeding 1,000 migrants reaching the UK within a single day, and the tenth time since the crisis erupted in 2018.
Fresh tragedy strikes Channel
Today brought further tragedy as one woman died during a Channel crossing attempt.
Kent Police confirmed they were alerted by the Coastguard to a small boat incident just after 1pm.
“One woman was airlifted back to shore where she was pronounced deceased. Officers are conducting enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the spokesperson said.
The devastating loss occurred amid another wave of arrivals, believed to number several hundred migrants.
Pressure mounts on Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to halt the relentless crossings plaguing the Channel.
Last week saw former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper moved sideways to become Foreign Secretary after failing to tackle the Channel crisis during 14 months since the general election.