French authorities stand accused of "enabling illegal migration" after leaving a dangerously overcrowded boat of migrants in the Channel to be rescued by the UK's Border Force.
Officials told around 80 people on the dinghy they had "an hour or less than an hour" until British rescuers came for them, according to an investigation by The Sun.
The vessel could have capsized before being picked up, putting lives at risk.
The incident happened earlier this year as record numbers of migrants crossed the Channel. The vessel set off from Gravelines near Calais.
French officials removed around 24 migrants for safety reasons but allowed approximately 80 others to continue their journey.
A source questioned: "If the French decided they could take some migrants back to their shores, why couldn't they take the whole boat?"
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "To stop these illegal, dangerous and unnecessary crossings France needs only to intercept the boats near the French coast and take them back.
"Very soon, the illegal immigrants would then stop attempting the crossing and no longer congregate in camps around Calais. The UK government should also urgently implement a removals deterrent -- it was a catastrophic mistake to cancel Rwanda before it even started."
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He added that Starmer had lost control of the country's borders and "should hand his head in shame".
Yemeni Mohammed Al Adiroos, 24, was one of those removed from the overcrowded boat.
He claimed the vessel was already in British waters when he was turned back, saying: "My phone text me 'welcome to the UK'."
Al Adiroos confirmed French authorities told those remaining on board they would be rescued within "one hour or less than one hour".
More than 4,000 small boat migrants have arrived since the start of March, with 357 people in six dinghies intercepted on Wednesday alone.
This year a total of 6,406 people have successfully reached Britain on 115 boats, representing an almost 40 per cent increase in arrivals.
At least seven people are thought to have died crossing the Channel so far this year.
The Home Office said: "We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security."
They added that the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will make endangering lives during crossings an offence.
"We are also working with France to ensure boats can be intercepted at the earliest opportunity, to help save lives."
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Officials told around 80 people on the dinghy they had "an hour or less than an hour" until British rescuers came for them, according to an investigation by The Sun.
The vessel could have capsized before being picked up, putting lives at risk.
The incident happened earlier this year as record numbers of migrants crossed the Channel. The vessel set off from Gravelines near Calais.
French officials removed around 24 migrants for safety reasons but allowed approximately 80 others to continue their journey.
A source questioned: "If the French decided they could take some migrants back to their shores, why couldn't they take the whole boat?"
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "To stop these illegal, dangerous and unnecessary crossings France needs only to intercept the boats near the French coast and take them back.
"Very soon, the illegal immigrants would then stop attempting the crossing and no longer congregate in camps around Calais. The UK government should also urgently implement a removals deterrent -- it was a catastrophic mistake to cancel Rwanda before it even started."
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- Britons in migrant hotspots 'too terrified to walk the streets' as communities 'scared' for safety
- ‘Pathetic!’ Priti Patel’s migration crackdown dubbed ‘absymal failure’ after just FIVE offenders sentenced under her watch
He added that Starmer had lost control of the country's borders and "should hand his head in shame".
Yemeni Mohammed Al Adiroos, 24, was one of those removed from the overcrowded boat.
He claimed the vessel was already in British waters when he was turned back, saying: "My phone text me 'welcome to the UK'."
Al Adiroos confirmed French authorities told those remaining on board they would be rescued within "one hour or less than one hour".
More than 4,000 small boat migrants have arrived since the start of March, with 357 people in six dinghies intercepted on Wednesday alone.
This year a total of 6,406 people have successfully reached Britain on 115 boats, representing an almost 40 per cent increase in arrivals.
At least seven people are thought to have died crossing the Channel so far this year.
The Home Office said: "We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security."
They added that the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will make endangering lives during crossings an offence.
"We are also working with France to ensure boats can be intercepted at the earliest opportunity, to help save lives."
Find Out More...