UK migrant plan stokes tensions with France

A record 828 people crossed over from France on a single day in late August

Britain and France locked horns on Thursday over reported plans by London to turn back boats carrying migrants across the Channel, triggering alarm and anger in Paris.

At least 14,100 people have now crossed the Channel to the UK on small boats this year, according to Britain's domestic Press Association news agency -- some 6,000 more than for the whole of 2020.

The growing number of boats is proving increasingly embarrassing for Home Secretary Priti Patel, who has carved out a reputation for being tough on immigration and law and order.

But several newspapers said she has now secured legal advice and sanctioned the use of "pushback" tactics to turn back the small boats before they reach Britain's south coast.

Patel has also reportedly threatened to withhold £54 million (63 million euros, $75 million) in funding pledged to Paris to help tackle the issue.

"France will not accept any practice that breaks maritime law, nor any financial blackmail," Darmanin wrote on Twitter, a day after meeting Patel. 

That has stoked anger in Brexit-supporting sections of the British media and the government in London, who accuse France of shirking its responsibilities.

Last year, France stopped 62.5 percent of migrants from making the crossing, up from 52 percent the previous year, the source said.

- No 'silver bullet' -

It also dismissed the claims of blackmail, saying "we've provided our French counterparts significant sums of money and we've agreed another bilateral agreement backed by millions of pounds."

However, Border Force officials have told ministers the tactic could only be used in certain circumstances and was not a "silver bullet", it added.

Johnson praised Patel for dealing with the problem "in the best possible way, which is to make sure that they don't leave those French shores". 

MPs are scrutinising proposed government legislation that would make it harder for those who enter the UK to stay by claiming asylum.

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