Chris Philp Dismissed Starmer's Migrant Deal As A 'Gimmick'. Then He Was Reminded About Rwanda
Chris Philp was humiliatingly forced to admit the Tories’ own failure on small boat crossings after dismissing Keir Starmer’s bid to solve the problem as a “gimmick”.
The shadow home secretary said the prime minister’s returns deal with French president Emmanuel Macron was “laughable”.
Under the agreement, France will take back some of those asylum seekers who make it to the UK across the English Channel.
In return, Britain will take some migrants from France who have not tried to make the illegal crossing.
An initial pilot scheme is set to begin in weeks, with 50 migrants a week initially being sent back from the UK – far fewer than the numbers actually arriving.
On BBC Breakfast this morning, Philp said: “I’m afraid it’s another gimmick, just like Keir Starmer’s previous claims to smash the gangs, which is a laughable failure given we’ve now got record numbers crossing.
“It will only see one in 17 illegal immigrants crossing the channel getting sent back to France. The other 16 out of 17, that is to say 94%, will get to stay in the UK.
“And if 94% of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel get to stay in the UK, that is another gimmick, like his laughable, ridiculous claim to smash the gangs.”
But presenter Charlie Stayt later highlighted the last Tory government’s plan to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda, which was a complete failure.
He asked Philp: “Just remind us how many people were sent to Rwanda under the scheme that you proposed. How many people?”
Philp replied: “Well I’ve already said the scheme didn’t start.”
Undeterred, Stayt told him: “I would like you to answer that question.”
The shadow home secrtetary then admitted: “Zero. The answer was zero. The first flight was due to take off on July 24 last year, and just a few days before that very first flight was due to take off, Starmer cancelled it.”
Charlie Stayt: Just remind us how many people were sent to Rwanda?
— Haggis_UK ???????? ???????? (@Haggis_UK) July 11, 2025
Chris Philp(Tory MP): "Zero"#BBCBreakfastpic.twitter.com/UM5k1nUzeU
The prime minister has admitted that his deal with France “is not a silver bullet”, but he hopes it will act as enough of a deterrent to stop immigrants attempting the Channel crossing in the first place.
“With a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the tables,” he said.