Tory minister squirms over immigration figures as migrants cross channel live on air

A Tory immigration minister was grilled on immigration figures as migrants were seen travelling through the Channel on a boat live on air.

Michael Tomlinson was questioned on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, 23 April, after Rishi Sunak’s controversial Rwanda bill was given the green light in parliament the day before.

“People crossing the channel... have known that they could be sent to Rwanda... What we’re seeing right now... on BBC Breakfast is people still prepared to take that risk. They are not deterred,” host Jon Kay said.

Mr Tomlinson pushed back that “the deterrent effect” would take time.

“Hardly anyone is getting on a small boat now from Albania because the deterrent effect has come in,” he insisted.