The European Union (EU) has rejected calls from the United Kingdom (UK) to accept the return of illegal migrants who cross the English Channel from France, leading to accusations from conservative politicians that the EU is punishing the UK for Brexit.
Despite the UK agreeing to pay over £500 million to enhance enforcement against people smuggling and Channel crossings, the EU has remained adamant about not coming to an agreement on migrant returns. This refusal has raised concerns among Brexiteers about the competence and morality of the Union.
A meeting between Bjoern Siebert, the head of EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen’s cabinet, and British National Security Advisor Sir Tim Barrow resulted in the UK being told that the EU has no intention of negotiating a readmissions agreement for migrants. The contents of a British memo following the meeting, which asserted the EU’s unwillingness to discuss the issue, have been disputed by Brussels. Nonetheless, many leading Conservatives view this as further evidence of the EU attempting to penalize the UK for leaving the bloc.
Former government minister Peter Bone deemed the EU’s actions as punishment and argued that having a returns policy would deter migrants from risking their lives in dangerous Channel crossings. Meanwhile, former government minister David Jones blamed the French government for obstructing progress on a returns deal and accused the EU of having a vindictive attitude towards the UK.
In the midst of this ongoing dispute, the British government is anticipating that the migrant crisis in the English Channel will continue. A leaked memo suggests that the Home Office is considering using former prisons and military bases to accommodate illegal migrants for several years.
As people smuggling networks seek alternative ways to transport migrants into the UK, Albanian gangs have resorted to advertising safe passage on the backs of lorries from Santander in northern Spain to Portsmouth. These smugglers charge a significant sum of £14,000 per migrant, but the promise of increased safety and the likelihood of entering the country undetected seems to outweigh the risks for many migrants.
The situation remains complex, with differing viewpoints on who is responsible for the lack of progress on a returns agreement. While the UK government faces the challenge of managing the migrant crisis, concerns are growing about the efficacy of current strategies and the role played by the EU in addressing this issue.
Overall, the reluctance of the EU to negotiate on returning illegal migrants and the accusations of punishing the UK for Brexit have sparked significant tensions between the two parties. The future of migration policies and cooperation between the EU and the UK remains uncertain.
