The education secretary has said a plan to put the military in charge of policing small boats crossing the Channel is a good idea.
Reports over the weekend revealed plans – dubbed Operation Big Dog – are being drawn up to save Boris Johnson’s premiership as he faces calls to resign over the Downing Street lockdown party scandal.
As well as sacking key staff, the plan focuses on major policy changes, including placing the Navy in charge of preventing small boats from crossing the Channel.
Downing Street is also looking to send migrants to countries such as Rwanda and Ghana for processing and resettlement to prevent migrants from making the perilous journey to the UK.
What parties are alleged to have taken place in Whitehall and Downing Street during lockdown?
Navy plan ‘a good idea’
Asked about the military plans, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News: “It is a good idea that there is a single command and control, and that includes not just naval vessels but all other vessels, including Border Force, so that you actually have a co-ordinated operation in terms of the small boats.
“A really important idea is the legislation that Priti Patel has put through parliament to allow us to have a much better way of dealing with illegal migration because there are legal routes for migration, you know, I’m the son of immigrants.”
He said it would provide the co-ordination needed “to go after the illegal smugglers who are putting these people’s lives at risk”.
“The fault lies with the smugglers, these criminals, so you have to go after them,” he said.
“The way you do it is a multi-pronged strategy, so you have got co-ordination on the Channel, you’ve got the Nationality and Borders Bill and…
Source : skynews
