A migrant who was deported back to France under the government’s flagship “one in, one out” scheme has returned to the UK on a small boat.
The Iranian national was initially detained when he entered the UK on a small boat on 6 August. He was removed under the government’s deal with France on 19 September, and he returned on 18 October.
He has been detained once again, and Sky News understands that the government is set to expedite his removal back to France.
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The news comes as Sky News learns that more migrants have crossed the Channel on a small boat in 2025 so far than the entirety of 2024.
The “one in, one out” treaty with France allows the UK to return anyone who arrives in the UK on a small boat back to France, in exchange for France sending to the UK the same number of people who have never previously tried to enter illegally.
The man told The Guardian newspaper that he had been a victim of modern slavery at the hands of people smugglers in northern France.
“If I had felt that France was safe for me I would never have returned to the UK,” he claimed.
“When we were returned to France we were taken to a shelter in Paris. I didn’t dare to go out because I was afraid for my life. The smugglers are very dangerous. They always carry weapons and knives. I fell into the trap of a human trafficking network in the forests of France before I crossed to the UK from France the first time.
“They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I…
