Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has called for Nigel Farage to issue an apology for his involvement in the small boat crisis. Speaking at the party’s conference in Bournemouth, Sir Ed criticized Farage for his role in eliminating return agreements with EU countries, which, according to critics, facilitated the surge in trafficking responsible for Channel crossings.
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Sir Ed emphasized that before Brexit, the UK had 27 return agreements with EU nations that allowed for the return of individuals. However, he attributed the current small boats issue to the actions of Farage, Boris Johnson, and the Conservatives, who terminated these agreements post-Brexit.
Sir Ed highlighted the loss of access to the Dublin agreement as a consequence of leaving the EU. The Dublin agreement allowed for the return of asylum seekers to the first country they reached, but its absence post-Brexit has led to a situation where the UK cannot send individuals back to Europe.
At the conference, there was a discussion about renaming small boats crossing the Channel as “Brexit boats,” with a focus on holding Brexit’s architects accountable for the crisis. The proposal received support from members, underscoring the belief that remaining in the EU would have enabled the UK to return individuals arriving via boats.
In response to critics who argue that the Dublin agreement was flawed and would not have resolved the current challenges, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Sir Ed of distorting history. Official figures show that only a small percentage of outgoing requests under the Dublin agreement were accepted.
Data from the Home Office indicates that from 2015 to 2018, the UK made numerous outgoing requests to transfer individuals to other EU states, with a relatively low number of successful transfers. Similarly, there were incoming requests to transfer individuals into the UK, with a portion being granted entry during that period.