A French official briefed on the negotiations, granted anonymity to discuss the status of ongoing talks, said Paris had been in contact with Brussels about the legal approval of the deal before it was publicly announced and was hoping for a swift and positive outcome.
In exchange for each migrant returned to France, Paris will transfer one asylum seeker to the U.K. ― generally someone with a family connection or other reason to seek sanctuary there.
French border forces will also be able to take proactive measures to stop boats in shallow waters, subject to a review by the French maritime authorities.
‘Humiliation’
Starmer is under pressure to reduce levels of illegal migration as a record 21,000 people have arrived in the U.K. via the English Channel so far this year. Channel crossings have also proven to be a major political vulnerability for the Labour government as Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party continues to climb in the polls.
Farage branded the deal a “humiliation” after it was announced.
Humanitarian organizations believe the agreement is a step in the wrong direction.
