Channel crossings must end now after tragedy claimed four lives, Suella Braverman says

CHANNEL crossings in small boats must end after four people died making the dangerous journey today, Suella Braverman has said.

The Home Secretary expressed her “profound sorrow” after the tragic news that a migrant boat got into trouble in the middle of the night and had to call for help.

A rescue operation was launched, and four people have been confirmed to have died in the icy waters.

Rishi Sunak told MPs there had been “a tragic loss of human life”, adding: “Our hearts go out to all those affected and our tributes to those involved in the extensive rescue operation”.

Ms Braverman told MPs in the Commons today: “This government won’t stop until we have seen progress, until people understand that taking this lethal journey is not safe, it is not lawful, and it will not lead them to a better life in the United Kingdom.

“We are strengthening our resolve, we are strengthening our will and we are strengthening our efforts to do whatever it takes, as the prime minister has pledged, to stop the boats, crossing the Channel.”

She said that thousands of people were “being sold a lie” that they could have a new life in the UK and were risking their lives to do so.

She added: “It is not the right way to come to the United Kingdom and they are not welcome.

“There is no reason why people should be coming to the United Kingdom should be coming and claiming asylum from Albania”.

The tragedy occurred just hours after Rishi Sunak revealed a new plan in a bid to push down the numbers crossing the Channel.

Earlier today the Home Secretary spoke to her counterpart in France to discuss the tragedy.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “At 0305 today, authorities were alerted to an incident in the Channel concerning a migrant small boat in distress.

“After a coordinated search and rescue operation led by HM Coastguard, it is with regret that there have been 4 confirmed deaths as a result of this incident, investigations are ongoing and we will provide further information in due course.

“This is a truly tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the friends and families of all those who have lost their lives today.”

Joint efforts with France have stopped 31,000 crossings from France this year.

But still more than 44,000 people have made the dangerous crossing – with more than 12,000 from Albania alone.

Tory MP Tim Loughton says it’s a “miracle” no one had lost their life this year so far. And he added: “be in no doubt the blood is on the hands of the criminal gangs, responsible for this tragedy”.

Earlier, a fishing captain whose crew saved 31 migrants stranded in the Channel has revealed he woke to the sound of them “screaming for help”.

Skipper Raymond told Sky News: “It was like something out of a second world war movie, there were people in the water everywhere, screaming.

“The dinghy started to drift away, so I steamed towards the dinghy and we secured it with a rope to the side of the boat.

“We were trying to pull them off the dinghy.”

Yesterday Mr Sunak announced plans for new laws which would stop anyone who comes to Britain illegally from being allowed to remain here.

He confirmed more cash to crack down on sick people-smugglers, for illegal immigration raides, and a beefed-up partnership with Albania to speed up removals for those with no claim to be here.