Mark White says Labour's migrant crackdown is ‘no deterrent whatsoever’ as 800 cross Channel in a single day

Mark White delivers verdict as 800 cross The Channel |

GB NEWS

Gabrielle Wilde

By Gabrielle Wilde


Published: 19/09/2025

- 18:12

Today's surge followed nine days of rough seas that had prevented any attempts to cross

Mark White has delivered his verdict on Labour's immigration policies, declaring them "no deterrent whatsoever" as approximately 800 migrants successfully crossed the English Channel in small boats on Friday.

The GB News political editor dismissed Government claims of progress, after a frustrating week where only two migrants were returned to France under the "one-in, one-out" efforts.


Speaking on Britain's News Channel, Mark said: "Listening to the Deputy Prime Minister there, I know you have to accentuate the positive, but really, where is the sense of an immediate deterrent to people smugglers on the other side of the Channel?

"Clearly, they’ve not got the message today, as at least 800 small boat migrants have already been sent out into the Channel and the day is not over yet.

Mark White

Mark White said that we could see more arrivals this evening

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GB NEWS

"Conditions remain very good, so we could see more arrivals on the late afternoon and evening tide and then again tomorrow.

"The weather may close in for a day or so, but then it improves again, and we know for sure as night follows day that whenever conditions are favourable, people smugglers will continue sending boats, whatever this Government or any previous Government tries to do.

"As far as this returns deal is concerned, the numbers are so infinitesimally small they cannot possibly make a deterrent difference.

"Even if the Government had achieved its plan this week, removing about 40 migrants, then ramping up to 50 a week, that is nothing compared to today’s arrivals alone, many times that number. How, in any reasonable reading of the situation, can this be described as a deterrent?"

GB News host Martin Daubney fumed: "How long can this border farce continue?

"How long can we have these 'Comical Ali' press conferences before reality bites? This is no deterrent whatsoever."

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Mark said: "I think we will continue to hear assertions from the Government that it is doing everything it can to smash the gangs and get on top of the situation, but that’s what Governments do.

"The previous Conservative administration did exactly the same: announcement after announcement, lots of incremental measures to show they were addressing the problem.

"But in reality, it isn’t being addressed. Year on year, we see ever more numbers crossing the Channel, and it’s going to be the same this year.

"They’ve been lucky, in a sense, that the past couple of weeks brought unpredictable, stormy."

Migrants crossing The Channel

800 Migrants have crossed the Channel today and the could be more

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PA

Today's surge followed nine days of rough seas that had prevented any attempts to cross the treacherous waters between France and Britain.

The improved weather conditions overnight prompted criminal networks operating near Calais and Dunkirk to dispatch numerous vessels packed with migrants.

Witnesses observed hundreds of people entering the cold waters up to their waists as they struggled to reach the overcrowded dinghies.

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