Migrant Crisis: Boris Johnson will deploy Royal Navy to combat Channel crossings

Migrant Crisis: Boris Johnson will deploy Royal Navy to combat Channel crossings
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Gareth Milner

By Gareth Milner


Published: 17/01/2022

- 09:09

Updated: 17/01/2022

- 09:10

The Prime Minister is set to announce a number of new measures to ensure he stays in 10 Downing Street

Amidst a battle for the future of the country, as Boris Johnson fights to save his role as Prime Minister, he is set to announce a number of new measures to ensure he stays in 10 Downing Street.

One of these plans, part of a nicknamed by the PM as ‘operation save big dog’, Boris Johnson will deploy the Royal Navy to patrol the English Channel and deter migrants from making the dangerous and controversial crossing.


Plans would see the Royal Navy take over from the UK’s Border Force within weeks, with expectations the sight of patrolling vessels will deter people-smuggling gangs from moving people from France to England.

A person takes a photograph as the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales leaves Portsmouth Harbour as it sets sail for exercises. For the next year will serve as the Nato command ship, after the Royal Navy took charge of Nato's fast reaction maritime task force formed to tackle major incidents around the world. Picture date: Wednesday January 12, 2022.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wale
Andrew Matthews

Should the government's plans to stop the Channel migrant crisis work, it would certainly help Home Secretary Priti Patel as Boris Johnson seeks to bolster allies.

Other plans as part of the policy blitz include banning drinking in Downing Street and giving a number of advisers their P45s.

There is a debate whether the populist policies would go far enough to save the embattled Prime Minister, yet with a number of MPs calling for his resignation, Boris Johnson will have to do something in the coming days to quash the risk of rebellion.

If Boris Johnson did ban drinking within Downing Street, it remains unknown what would happen to a £142 wine fridge that was purchased for use in their press office.

Many detractors within the Conservative Party argue that the PM should cut taxes and ditch expensive “Net Zero”­ policies to promote economic growth.

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