Channel migrants: UK confirms plan to use military to limit small boat crossings from France
Boris Johnson's government has confirmed reports that it is planning to involve the military in operations in the English Channel to try to limit the number of migrant crossings in small boats.
The move is being reported as one of several populist measures designed to shore up support for the beleaguered prime minister, whose political survival is in the balance following a series of scandals over parties held by his staff during pandemic lockdowns.
In what has been unofficially dubbed "Operation Red Meat", several policy projects have been mooted that are seen as an attempt to appeal to ruling Conservative politicians and party supporters — and divert attention from questions surrounding Johnson's leadership.
Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel told the House of Commons on Monday that she had commissioned the Ministry of Defence as a "crucial operational partner" in protecting the Channel against illegal immigration. More details would be given later, she added.
The Ministry of Defence told Euronews it was expected that efforts in the immediate term would remain focused on understanding what could be done to make the system more effective and efficient, whilst assuring people do not drown in the Channel.
"Unacceptable numbers of people continue to make the dangerous Channel crossings and last November’s tragic deaths serve as the strongest reminder of the need to stop them. The Government is exploring every avenue to prevent further crossings and detail of how that can be achieved will be made known in due course," a spokesman said.
The Labour opposition has accused the government of learning nothing from a previous operation in 2019, when the navy was brought in to patrol the Channel but was withdrawn after six
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