Home > UK News > Channel Migrant Boats: Ministers Drop Plans to Turn Back Vessels

Channel Migrant Boats: Ministers Drop Plans to Turn Back Vessels

Indians at UK - Channel Migrant Boats

The UK government has dropped plans to turn back people crossing the English Channel just over a week before they were due to be challenged in court. Campaigners say the policy, which would allow Border Force patrols to intercept boats and take them back to France, is inhumane and a risk to life. The PCS civil servants’ union called the government’s change of mind a “humiliating climbdown”. But the Home Office said ministers were “unified” in wanting to stop crossings. The government has dropped the policy ahead of the High Court challenge, meaning the so-called “pushback” tactics are not currently in use.

The PCS and the campaign groups Care4Calais, Channel Rescue and Freedom from Torture have argued that the Border Force does not have the legal authority to push the vessels back and that doing so would infringe on migrants’ human rights.

Indians at UK - Channel Migrant Boats

Following the Home Office’s decision, they have now withdrawn their judicial review claims, which had been due to be heard on 3 May. PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This humiliating climbdown by the government is a stunning victory for Home Office workers and for refugees.

“PCS is proud to have brought this legal action alongside refugee groups in order to prevent this morally reprehensible and utterly inhumane proposal from ever seeing the light of day. There is little doubt that lives have been saved.” But a Home Office spokesperson said: “The entire government is united in our efforts to prevent these lethal crossings and break the business model of the criminal gangs exploiting people.

“It is right that we consider all safe and legal options to stop these unnecessary journeys, including turning boats around.” They added: “As we have set out previously, this tactic fully complies with both domestic and international law. However, there are extremely limited circumstances when you can safely turn boats back in the English Channel.” Last year, the government authorised Border Force officials to use the tactic of turning back boats containing migrants – but only in limited circumstances.

Loading

You may also like
Changes to UK visa requirements: Key points at-a-glance
UK imposes sanctions after Chinese-backed cyber-attacks
Indians at UK - Scotland’s Biggest Offshore Wind Farm
Vessel near Yemen said to report drones, explosions in Red SeaUK reports two explosions near a vessel 50 miles west of Yemen
Visa
New UK visa rules may hit marriage proposals in Punjab
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x