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.
The Home Office revealed on Sunday 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.
It is intended to act as a deterrent for those crossing the English Channel on small boats, by introducing the risk they will not get to stay.
But the Guardian has reported that one of the people who was deported in that initial cohort has made the trip again, and is currently in the UK.
The man told the newspaper: ‘If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK.’
He reportedly claims he is a victim of modern slavery under people smugglers who ‘took [him] like a worthless object’, and he feared for his life upon his return to France.
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The news comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts a summit of European leaders, with the agenda dominated by illegal immigration.
A government 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.’
Last week, 16 asylum seekers were taken back to France in the largest group flight so far under the scheme, according to the Home Office.
Meanwhile, 23 people have arrived in the UK, as part of the exchange aspect of the deal that provides a ‘controlled and legal’ route for those currently in France who do not attempt an illegal crossing.
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