Category: Priti Patel

UK, France in War of Words Over Illegal Immigrant Crossings in English Channel

The continuing illegal immigration crisis in the English Channel has sparked an unusually heated exchange of words between the governments of Britain and France. At least 14,100 people have crossed the English Channel to the UK aboard small boats this year, according to data compiled by the PA news agency. The figure so far is…


Johnson Launches Plan on Beating Crimes Amid Strained Relationship With Police

The UK government on Tuesday announced a new plan to tackle crimes, but the plan was met with the cold shoulder of a disgruntled police force, which said a few days ago that it has lost confidence in Home Secretary Priti Patel. The home secretary last week announced that police officers whose salary is over…


UK Announces Harsher Sentences for Illegal Immigrants in Bid to Deter Channel Crossings

Illegal immigrants seeking to make their way to the UK on small boats, and their people-smuggling enablers, will face heavier prison sentences in a bid to prevent “asylum shopping,” the Home Office has announced. The stricter enforcements form part of the Nationality and Borders Bill, which is due for its first reading in the House…


England Footballers Taking the Knee Engaged in ‘Gesture Politics’: UK Minister

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Monday that she does not support England footballers taking the knee ahead of Euro 2020 games, calling the act “gesture politics.” The England team was booed by some fans in London’s Wembley Stadium on June 13 when players took the knee before kick-off in their match with Croatia…


UK Border Force ‘Little More Than Taxi Service for Illegal Migrants’: Lawmaker

Britain’s Border Force is “little more than a taxi service for illegal migrants,” a Conservative MP said on Monday, as he urged the government to take action to put an end to the “horrible trade” of people smuggling. The Home Office is investigating an incident in which migrants attempting to cross the English Channel were…


Priti Patel Vows Reform of ‘Broken’ Immigration System

Home Secretary Priti Patel pledged wholesale reform of the UK’s “broken” immigration system as she unveiled plans for a “fully digital border” within five years. In a keynote speech on Monday, Patel vowed to deliver a system that works for the “law-abiding majority” and against those who seek to “abuse our hospitality and generous spirit.”…


UK Arrests Suspected Ringleaders of People Smuggling Gang

UK authorities on Wednesday arrested two suspected leading figures in people smuggling networks thought to be behind the movements of hundreds of migrants both into and out of the country. The two men, aged 52 and 28, were detained in early morning raids in Woodford Green and Bushwood, east London, the National Crime Agency (NCA)…


London Police ‘Acted Appropriately’ at Sarah Everard Vigil: Watchdog

London police acted appropriately at a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard earlier this month, an independent watchdog said on Tuesday. The Metropolitan police drew public criticisms after officers clashed with and tackled to the ground protesters gathered at a memorial for the murdered woman at Clapham Common, London, on March 13, defying the government’s CCP (Chinese…


Violent Mob Attack on Police in Bristol ‘Disgraceful’: Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned the violent mob attacks on police officers in Bristol on Friday evening, and pledged his “full support” for the police. “Last night saw disgraceful attacks against police officers in Bristol,” Johnson wrote on Twitter on Saturday morning. The police said officers came under attack when a protest against the…


UK Toughens Asylum Rules to Tackle Illegal Immigration

Britain will carry out “the most significant overhaul” of its asylum system in decades to address the challenge of illegal immigration, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Wednesday. The government’s New Plan for Immigration, described by Patel as “fair but firm,” will make it more difficult for migrants entering the UK illegally to stay…