The UK's offer – made as a result of growing exasperation with the crisis in the Channel – has been rebuffed by France. Amid record numbers of crossings, it is understood that UK officials have been left hugely frustrated at the inability to intercept migrants at sea and turn them around. So in cases where migrants threaten violence or resist, French patrols are instead forced to watch the boats until UK border officials take over. The UK started sending France high-tech equipment, thought to include drones, earlier this year in an attempt to provide further aerial surveillance on its coastline. The £54million funding deal agreed by Priti Patel last week also included the provision of more aerial surveillance technology to France.

Source: The Nation July 26, 2021 23:26 UTC