Michael Keohan, BBC Political Reporter for Kent, has posted to X to announce that Border Force have returned migrants to France for the first time.
Mr Keohan posted:
NEW: The Home Office have confirmed to me that last night the Border Force vessel Ranger, returned migrants back to France, after rescuing them in French waters. The FIRST TIME this has EVER happened. It's not yet clear if this is a direct change of policy from the Home Office.
Mr Keohan later posted:
The Home Office tell me this is not a change of Government policy.
In their latest statement
"There has been no policy change. Rescue missions, such as that occurring last night, might mean UK assets are used to disembark migrants in French ports."
Mr Keohan also confirmed that he had spoken to Prime Minister Kier Starmer who said: "no change of policy, it's done on an operation by operation basis."
https://twitter.com/michaelkeohan/status/1813934284337791195
