Nigel Farage declared “we’ve heard it all before” after the Home Secretary issued a warning over the migrant crisis. Shabana Mahmood admitted the failure to get a grip on small boats is eroding the public’s trust in politicians.
But she insisted that the only way to tackle the issue is through international co-operation. Speaking on his GB News show, Reform leader Mr Farage said: “The new Home Secretary has said that we’ve lost control of our borders and that is eroding public trust, goodness gracious me.
“She also says the only way we can solve it is through international cooperation.
“She does, though, go on to criticise some elements of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“But my take on this? We’ve heard it all before. Every single home secretary says we need international cooperation.
“Every single home secretary joins in with the vast majority view of the country, yes we understand how you feel, we get it.
“But is any of this going to make any difference? Does Shabana Mahmood inspire your confidence? She certainly doesn’t mine.”
Ms Mahmood issued the warning as she hosted her counterparts from across the Western Balkans, as well as other European allies, at a summit in London today.
The Home Secretary was expected to say: “The public rightly expect that their government will be able to determine who enters their country, and who must leave.
“Today, in this country, and I know in many if not all of yours, that is not the case.
“And the failure to bring order to our borders is eroding trust not just in us as political leaders… But in the credibility of the state itself.”
She was also expected to hit out at the Government’s political opponents, such as Mr Farage, accusing them of wanting to “turn inwards” and seek solutions to migration without the aid of other countries.
She said: “Illegal migration is a shared threat which requires a strong, joined-up international response.”
She added: “To those who think the answer to the challenges that we face is to turn inwards, or back away from international co-operation, I say that in coming together as we are today we will make all of our borders and our countries stronger.
“I am proud that the UK is leading the charge on a co-ordinated response to tackle organised crime and take down the vile people-smuggling gangs who put the value of human lives behind their own profits.”
