‘Inappropriate and disproportionate’: Priti Patel suggestion to use navy to combat migrant crossings attacked by MoD

Priti Patel is discussing using the royal navy to tackle the number of migrants crossing the Channel, prompting accusations from Ministry of Defence sources that the idea is “inappropriate and disproportionate”.

While facing increasing pressure from MPs on her own back benches, the home secretary also called on France to help prevent people coming to the UK’s shores.

At least 235 people arrived on small boats on Thursday – a new high for a single day.

The Home Office is yet to provide a full breakdown of the crossings, meaning the total number could be higher still.

The home secretary is understood to be keen to know what royal navy vessels and other assets could be deployed.

It is thought they would be expected to stop boats and send them back to France.

But a Ministry of Defence source told the PA news agency the idea of using the navy was “completely potty” and could put lives at risk.

“It is a completely inappropriate and disproportionate approach to take,” they said.

“We don’t resort to deploying armed force to deal with political failings.

“It’s beyond absurd to think that we should be deploying multimillion-pound ships and elite soldiers to deal with desperate people barely staying afloat on rubber dinghies in the Channel.

“It could potentially put people’s lives at even greater risk.

“Border Force is effectively the Home Office’s own navy fleet, so it begs the question: what are they doing?”

Ms Patel is facing increasing calls, including from Tory MPs, to deal with the issue.

The Commons Home Affairs Committee has announced that it has launched an investigation into the crossings.

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP and chair of the Commons Defence Committee, backed the use of navy patrols.

Natalie Elphicke, the Tory MP for Dover, also backed the use of the royal navy, saying: “All options need to be on the table.”

Immigration minister Chris Philp said he shares “the anger and frustration of the public” at the “appalling number” of crossings.

Mr Philp is to visit France next week to speak with counterparts following what is understood to have been a “constructive” meeting with the country’s deputy ambassador earlier this week.

Earlier Ms Patel appeared to call on France to do more.

She tweeted that the number of illegal small boat crossings was “appalling and unacceptably high” and said she was working to make the route unviable.

She added: “We also need the cooperation of the French to intercept boats and return migrants back to France.”

Almost 4,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK so far this year, according to analysis by PA.

Bella Sankey, director of charity Detention Action, said the numbers showed the Home Office had “lost control and all credibility on this issue, fuelling chaos, criminality and untold trauma for those who feel forced to make these dangerous crossings.”

Resorting to tougher enforcement was “naive grandstanding”, she said.

“What is needed is recognition that people who reach France will have valid claims to protection in the UK and the urgent development of safe and legal routes for them to do so.

“This would end the crossings overnight.”

Yvette Cooper, chair of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said it was “particularly troubling to see children being put at risk”.

Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson, said: “No one wants to see people making these perilous attempts to cross the Channel. It’s heartbreaking to think how desperate people must be to cram themselves into tiny boats and try.

“The Tories have been trying the same approach of getting tough on Channel crossings for years, but it’s failed.

“The only way to prevent these dangerous crossings is to ensure there are safe, legal routes to the UK – especially for vulnerable refugees fleeing war and persecution.”

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