THE former Chief Immigration Officer of the UK Border Force has warned we faced “continual” deaths in the Channel.

Kevin Saunders, told GB News he was ‘astonished’ that the UK Coastguard responded first to this weekend’s accident, even though it happened five miles off the French coast.

Mr Saunders said: From what I can gather, the accident occurred five miles off the French coast. So if it’s five miles off the French coast, the problem lies with the French.

“English lifeboats got to the scene of the accident before the French and that I find absolutely astonishing.

It goes to show that what I’ve been saying for years, we need the French on the Channel, working with the Brits to stop the boats coming across.

“And until we do that, we’re going to have continual deaths.”

The comments come as Health Secretary Steve Barclay defended the government’s progress in stopping small boats carrying migrants from crossing the English Channel.

He said he government was working constructively with the French authorities and claimed: “there’s been 40% more boats stopped by the French authorities this year than last year”.

He also said “instant action” was taken to move 39 asylum seekers from the Bibby Stockholm barge after Legionella bacteria was found last week.

Mr Barclay was questioned over why people were moved in when officials knew tests were being conducted.

Home Office ministers say the presence of bacteria was confirmed to them on Thursday, and they then took action.
In an interview Mr Barclay said: “As soon as ministers were notified on Thursday night, there were some concerns with that, they took instant action.”

The barge had been billed as a cheaper alternative to hotels for asylum seekers awaiting the outcome of their claims.

The government eventually plans to house up to 500 men aged 18-65 on the vessel moored in Portland Port, Dorset, while they await the outcome of asylum applications.