Anti-immigration protests have erupted days after Andy Burnham’s small boats talks with France’s Emmanuel Macron.
GB News share breaking news on small boat crossings
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was dealt a humiliating blow after GB News halted its usual programming to cover major breaking news. The broadcaster’s presenter, Alex Armstrong, revealed: “More than 500 illegal immigrants have crossed the [English] Channel, with a fresh wave of dinghys launching this evening.” He added: “GB News sources confirm, just over 120 migrants were on board a mega dinghy that made it to UK waters earlier.”
The small boat’s unprecedented arrival at Portsmouth comes just days after the UK leader, Burnham, met with French President Emmanuel Macron to “scale up” efforts to tackle illegal migration. Following former Prime minister Keir Starmer‘s “one-in-one-out” deal with the European country, No 10 said Burnham and Macron agreed they were making headway in reducing small boat crossings in the English Channel but now needed to go further. The GB News presenter added: “Our sources say another four dinghies are on route tonight, with the possibility of even more launches in the hours ahead before the weather deteriorates.
Andy Burnham was dealt a humiliating blow (Image: Getty)
Alex delivered the update on GB News (Image: GB News)
Alex also addressed the outrage that had kicked off in Portsmouth, as many took to Eastney beach to protest the small boats’ arrival on the shores.
This came after 140 migrants arrived on one mega dinghy and were brought ashore by lifeboats near Eastney in Portsmouth, and were expected to be transported to Manston processing centre in Kent.
The journey was soon halted by almost 500 black-clad demonstrators, many of whom donned balaclavas. This led to riot police being deployed at the scene following a dispersal order and pepper spray being deployed.
At the time, Hampshire Police said: “This evening, we have been working alongside and assisting our partners from Border Force, Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Portsmouth City Council at Eastney Marina following the arrival of a boat crossing the Channel.
“We have officers in the area to ensure the prevention of any disorder. We ask that people please avoid the area. A dispersal order is in place until tomorrow evening. Anyone who refuses to comply with the direction to leave the area is liable for arrest.
“We can also confirm that Border Force has advised us that individuals will be transported outside of Hampshire for processing in the normal way after they have been safely disembarked.”
Burnham met with Macron just days before the protests (Image: Getty)
Addressing the migrant crisis, a Home Office spokesman said: “This Government is bearing down on dangerous small boat crossings and restoring control at our border. Joint efforts have prevented over 48,000 crossing attempts and seized 1,100 boats and engines since the election.
“We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020.
“But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40 per cent more boots on the ground on French beaches.”
While the French leader’s visit to the UK was primarily to mark the Bayeux Tapestry’s loan to the British Museum, he met with Burnham to discuss small-boat crossings and the “emerging use of mega dinghies”.
The UK Government said France will deploy a “surge team” of 45 officers to the western beaches of France in the coming weeks, building on a deal signed in April to curb unauthorised small boat crossings in the English Channel.
“The progress we have seen this summer shows what can be achieved when the UK and France work together,