Border security chief to step down after 18 months in the role
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Martin Hewitt, the former UK Border Security Command chief appointed by Sir Keir Starmer to reduce small boat Channel crossings, has resigned after 18 months in the role.
- Despite his leadership, the number of small boat crossings increased, with last year recording the second highest number of crossings on record.
- Hewitt expressed frustration over delays by French authorities in preventing crossings and acknowledged that deterring journeys would take time.
- Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp blamed the government's failure on the prime minister and home secretary, criticizing Labour for scrapping the previous Conservative government's Rwanda deportation scheme.
- Ministers are currently arranging an interim replacement for Hewitt while a permanent successor is sought.
