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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

Starmer’s sanctions plan for people smugglers ‘far-fetched’, say experts

David Lammy Sir Keir Starmer BBC Radio 4 Today European Union Mac United Kingdom
Migrants travel in an inflatable boat across the English Channel
Charities have maintained the only way to stop people from traveling in small boats to the UK is to open alternative routes for asylum. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Keir Starmer’s plan to use sanctions to help “smash the gangs” profiting from people-smuggling in the Channel seems “far-fetched” and any success may be difficult to evaluate, security and immigration experts have said.

David Lammy, the foreign secretary, announced plans on Tuesday to target corrupt police officers, fake passport dealers and firms supplying small boats for people-smuggling.

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