Man Deported To France In One In One Out Scheme ‘Returns To UK On Small Boat’

An asylum seeker who was sent to France as part of the government’s ‘one in, one out’ deal has returned to the UK on a small boat, according to reports. More like – one out, same one in?

Last week, the Home Office revealed that 42 migrants who entered the country illegally had been sent back under the agreement announced by Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron earlier this year.

Today, the Guardian reported that one of those 42 migrants who was deported has now made his way back into the UK on another small boat.

The man told the outlet: ‘If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK.’

He claims he is a victim of modern slavery under human traffickers who ‘took [him] like a worthless object’, and feared for his safety upon his return to France.

The idea behind the ‘one in, one out’ system was for it to act as a deterrent for those crossing the English Channel on small boats, by introducing the risk they will not get to stay. Seems it definitely did not have the desired effect in this case.

This news comes as Keir Starmer hosts a summit of European leaders, with the agenda dominated by illegal immigration.

A Labour spokesman said: ‘We’ve been clear about the arrangement with France, that this is the beginning of a landmark scheme which is not, in itself, a silver bullet.

‘There is no silver bullet to addressing this issue. What we are intent on doing is building international partnerships.

‘You’ve seen that, you’re seeing it today at the Western Balkan Summit, where we are working closely with other countries to combat the issue of illegal migration, and you’ll see more of that in the coming months.’

Just last week, 16 asylum seekers were returned to France in the largest group flight so far under the scheme. Meanwhile, 23 people have arrived in the other direction from France as part of the deal that provides a ‘controlled and legal’ route for those who do not attempt an illegal crossing.

Pretty hilarious, really. At the same time though, I suppose if this migrant hadn’t been on that small boat for the second time, someone else would have been. After all,  I doubt these boats ever have empty seats upon arrival. Which means the ‘one in, one out’ policy is essentially having zero net effect at this point?

Well, as the Labour spokesperson said – ‘one in, one out’ is not silver bullet. Incidents like this however make it seem like more of a farce than anything else.

For the man who asked to be deported back to Somalia because it’s ‘safer than Nuneaton’, click HERE. He may be onto something.