Starmer Vows to Maintain Calais Border Checks

Sir Keir Starmer has declared his “determination” that British border inspections in Calais will persist. A collective of French mayors has advocated for the termination of an agreement that permits the United Kingdom to conduct immigration screenings prior to crossing the English Channel. The prime minister stated his intention to address this matter “with the French authorities”. Sir Keir informed BBC Radio Kent: “We need those checks to be carried out there.” He continued, “I’m taking this up with the French authorities because it’s a very important provision. I am concerned about that and determined to make sure that we get the checks where we need them.” The prime minister also addressed the issue of small vessel crossings. With the number of crossings approaching 20,000 since Labour assumed power in the July elections, he remarked: “We need to break the gangs.” He added, “Before I was a politician I was the chief prosecutor… and we took down gangs that were involved in terrorism, guns and drugs, and do not accept that the only gangs that can’t be broken are these gangs.” For further updates, follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Details concerning our approach to external linking are available.