PM ‘lashed out at Priti Patel over migrant Channel crossings’

‘When is she going to sort this?’ Boris ‘lashed out at Priti Patel’ over migrant Channel crossings as ministers blame officials for failing to enforce policies

  • Boris Johnson reportedly blasted Priti Patel over migrant Channel crossing surge
  • The premier said to have demanded to know ‘when is she going to sort this out?’
  • Almost 5,000 migrants have made the perilous crossing to the UK this year 


Boris Johnson privately blasted Priti Patel over the surging number of migrants making the perilous journey across the English Channel, it was claimed today. 

The Prime Minister is said to be furious about the number of small boats arriving in the UK. 

He reportedly told a minister: ‘What the f*** is the Home Office doing? When is she [Priti] going to sort this out?’  

An estimated 4,725 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, with 8,410 having made the journey in 2020.

Ms Patel is bringing forward new laws to try to crackdown on the journeys but ministers are apparently frustrated that officials are failing to enforce the existing rules. 

Boris Johnson privately blasted Priti Patel over the surging number of migrants making the perilous journey across the English Channel, it was claimed today

Mr Johnson reportedly told a minister: 'What the f*** is the Home Office doing? When is she [Priti] going to sort this out?'

Mr Johnson reportedly told a minister: ‘What the f*** is the Home Office doing? When is she [Priti] going to sort this out?’

A Government source told The Times that Mr Johnson was ‘increasingly frustrated at the images of boats arriving day after day’ and had criticised Ms Patel. 

But Number 10 has moved to downplay the claims of a rift, with a Downing Street source telling the newspaper that ‘everyone is frustrated at this problem’ and the recent increase in crossings is ‘deeply concerning’. 

‘The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary both want to see an end to the illegal immigration that is taking place through such dangerous journeys across the Channel,’ they said. 

A Home Office source defended Ms Patel as they claimed she is the ‘only home secretary since 2010 that is tackling this issue head-on’.  

The Government set out plans in the Queen’s Speech earlier this year to toughen migration laws to deny refugee status to any asylum seekers who have passed through a ‘safe country’ before reaching the UK. 

The shake-up will also make it easier for the UK to deport asylum seekers who arrived in the UK illegally. 

Ministers are blaming officials for the surge in crossings, amid claims they are not acting on existing Government policy to be more proactive in stopping the journeys. 

One minister told The Times that Border Force officials ‘nod along’ in meetings with Mr Johnson and Ms Patel and commit to taking action but then ‘two days later they are busy explaining to them both why it can’t be done’. 

More than 1,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats this month as temperatures soar – making June a potential recording breaking period if calm sea conditions continue.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel on June 8

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel on June 8

An estimated 4,725 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, with 8,410 having made the journey in 2020

 An estimated 4,725 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, with 8,410 having made the journey in 2020

Border Force officials intercepted 179 people including children and a baby making the dangerous 21-mile journey in six boats on Wednesday, and 10 more arrived at the Dover Marina yesterday. 

That took the total to cross the Dover Strait during the first nine days of the month to 1,008 people on board 41 boats.

Just 407 made the treacherous trip in the same timeframe last month – with May ending up smashing the monthly record as 1,619 migrants arrived in 80 boats. 

Border Force are believed to be preparing for an influx of migrants over the next few days due to near perfect weather conditions at sea.