Sir Keir Starmer unveils new Border Security Commander to help ‘smash the gangs’

A Border Security Commander has been appointed to help the Government “smash the gangs” behind the small boats crisis in the Channel.

The news comes following the deaths of eight men off the coast of France on Saturday night. Six people were taken to hospital, including a ten-month old baby.

On Saturday, 801 illegal migrants crossed on 14 small boats, the highest number since Labour came to power, and the second highest this year. It brings the total to 23,200 in 2024.

Back from Washington on Saturday, the Prime Minister is now in Italy for talks with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

Illegal migration will feature heavily in discussions in Rome, as Sir Keir Starmer continues with his attempted “re-set” in relations with Europe.

In recent weeks he has held talks with leaders in Berlin, Paris and Dublin.

Martin Hewitt CBE QPM will lead the UK’s new Border Security Command. Former Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, he led strategic coordination across UK police forces and helped shape national responses to major security threats, including terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration.

The Prime Minister said: “Martin Hewitt’s unique expertise will lead a new era of international enforcement to dismantle these networks, protect our shores and bring order to the asylum system.”

Hewitt is accompanying Starmer to Rome, and the pair will tour the National Co-Ordination Centre for Migration, and hear how Italy has succeeded in cutting illegal migration by 60 per cent in the last year.

Italy now has an offshore processing arrangement with Albania, and also funnels funds to Tunisia and Libya, where most migrants leave from to head to Europe.

Asked if he would consider a similar scheme where migrants are processed in a third country, Sir Keir Starmer said this weekend: “Let’s see. It’s in early days, I’m interested in how that works, I think everybody else is.”

Despite the numbers crossing and recent deaths, the Government is hailing some successes. 40 boats and engines were intercepted in recent weeks thanks to co-operation with Bulgaria.

Starmer ditched the previous Government’s Rwanda plan to send illegal migrants on a one-way ticket to Africa on taking the keys to Number 10, calling it “a gimmick”.

The Conservatives say the boats will not stop without an effective deterrent.
The Italian PM had a particularly close relationship with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

She and Starmer come from opposite ends of the political spectrum but Starmer says he wants to work with international partners and learn from Italy’s approach to tackling illegal immigration.

Italy is a key member of Nato and the G7. It is the UK’s 9th largest trading partner with bilateral trade flows worth over £50billion.

Besides illegal migration, the leaders will also discuss strengthening business ties, plus the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.