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Channel crossings by hundreds of migrants this weekend were “pretty shocking” and show Britain has “lost control” of its borders over the last five years, the defence secretary has told Sky News.

John Healey told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips the previous Conservative government left the UK’s asylum system “in chaos” and the country with “record levels of immigration”, which his government is having to deal with.

On Saturday, hundreds of migrants were seen crossing the Channel.

French police watched on while people, including children, boarded small boats in the shallows of a beach in Gravelines, between Calais and Dunkirk.

Authorities were then pictured escorting the boats as they sailed off towards the UK.

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Mr Healey said: “Pretty shocking, those scenes yesterday.

“Truth is, Britain’s lost control of its borders over the last five years, and the last government last year left an asylum system in chaos and record levels of immigration.”

He said it is a “really big problem” that French police are unable to intervene to intercept boats in shallow waters.

People thought to be migrants scramble onboard a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
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Migrants were seen scrambling to get on small boats in the shallows of a beach at Gravelines, France, on Saturday. Pic: PA

French authorities escort people thought to be migrants onboard a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France on 31 May 25
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French authorities escorted the boats after they left the beach. Pic: PA

“We saw the smugglers launching elsewhere and coming around like a taxi to pick them up,” Mr Healey added.

He said the UK is pressing for the French to put new rules into operation so they can intervene.

“They’re not doing it, but for the first time for years, for the first time, we’ve got the level of cooperation needed,” Mr Healey said.

“We’ve got the agreement that they will change the way they work, and our concentration now is to push them to get that into operation so they can intercept these smugglers and stop these people in the boats, not just on the shore.”

On Saturday, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Labour of having “completely lost control of our borders”.

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Mass cross-party letter demands Starmer recognise Palestine as a state

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Mass cross-party letter demands Starmer recognise Palestine as a state

Sir Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state, with MPs signing a mass cross-party letter demanding he take the step.

The letter is being organised by the Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, who also sits as the International Development Committee Chair.

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They write: “British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine”.

“Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such a recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.”

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‘Many more deaths unless Israelis allow food in’

Earlier this month, nearly 60 Labour MPs called on David Lammy and the Foreign Office to immediately recognise Palestine as a state in a private letter, but this new call shows how dissatisfied many still are with the government’s refusal to change its stance on the issue.

Late last night Number 10 released a statement on Gaza calling the situation “unspeakable and indefensible,” but a growing number of Labour backbenchers fear it’s not enough.

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In light of a tweet by the French President Emmanuel Macron also sent last night declaring France would recognise a Palestinian state in September at a UN conference, a number of MPs now say Number 10’s current position is untenable.

“They had said they wanted to be in lockstep with allies, but this means that position won’t hold,” said one Labour MP.

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Emily Thornberry has told Sophy Ridge that it’s “insulting” that the Israeli government rejected a statement calling for a ceasefire.

Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, this morning defended the government’s resistance to calls for immediate UK recognition of a Palestinian state.

“We want Palestinian statehood. We desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve and make sure that it can become a permanent circumstance that can bring peace to the entire region,” he told Sky News.

“But right now, today, we’ve got to focus on what will ease the suffering, and it is extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza that has to be the priority for us today.”

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Aid waiting to be distributed in Gaza

An emergency call with Germany and France is scheduled for today to discuss what Sir Keir described as a “human catastrophe” which has “reached new depths”.

The Foreign Office have maintained they are committed to recognising a Palestinian state but have expressed a willingness to do so only when it will have the “most impact in support of a peace process”.

They say: “We continue to provide lifesaving aid to support Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and to work closely in support of the Palestinian Authority.”

A Downing Street spokesperson also confirmed their position on Palestinian statehood remains unchanged.

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US crypto legislation drives $4B surge in stablecoin supply

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US crypto legislation drives B surge in stablecoin supply

US crypto legislation drives B surge in stablecoin supply

Regulatory clarity is opening the door for banks, asset managers, and crypto firms to roll out new stablecoin products.

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ETH core developer testifies in Roman Storm defense as gov’t rests case

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ETH core developer testifies in Roman Storm defense as gov’t rests case

ETH core developer testifies in Roman Storm defense as gov’t rests case

After about two weeks of hearing from US government witnesses, Roman Storm’s legal team called Preston Van Loon to the stand to kick off its defense case.

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