The Tory leadership contestant accused the Prime Minister of “playing politics” over the small boats crisis.
Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick (Image: Getty)
Robert Jenrick hit out at Sir Keir Starmer after the latest small boats Channel tragedy.
A baby died and 65 people were rescued after a migrant boat got into difficulty making the dangerous crossing from France yesterday.
Tory leadership hopeful Mr Jenrick hit out at the PM for scrapping the Rwanda deportation plan.
He said: “We’ve seen more deaths this year than ever before. Starmer is condemning people to death for his own ideology.
“Rather than strengthening the Rwanda scheme to deter people from making the journey in the first place, he scrapped it all because he didn’t come up with the idea.
“Now European countries are looking to do the same thing. It’s a national emergency and he’s playing politics with it.”
The incident took place off the coast of Wissant in the Pas-de-Calais region on Thursday evening.
Those rescued were taken back to the port at Boulogne-sur-Mer.
A French navy patrol boat and a helicopter were used in the rescue and recovery operation.
The baby was found unconscious following the incident and later declared dead.
Authorities said searches are ongoing to find any more missing people.
An investigation has been launched by the public prosecutor’s office in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The baby’s death is the 45th to be reported by the French coastguards so far this year.
A total of 27,509 people have arrived in the UK in small boats so far this year – 5% higher than the equivalent point last year.
