How Starmer's Migrant Deal With France Was Originally The Brainchild Of, Er, Robert Jenrick

Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick addresses members during the Conservative Party Conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, England, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)Keir Starmer yesterday hailed the “groundbreaking” migrant returns deal he has struck with French president Emmanuel Macron.The agreement will see France initially accept a small number of asylum seekers who have made their way to the UK in small boats across the English Channel.In return, Britain has agreed to take the same number of migrants who have had their asylum claims processed in France.Starmer hopes the prospect of being sent back across the Channel will deter migrants from getting into small boats and trying to make the perilous journey to Dover.“There is no silver bullet here, but with a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the tables,” the PM said at a press conference alongside Macron.But it has emerged that the “one in one out” scheme was originally suggested by none other than Robert Jenrick more than two years ago.Jenrick, who was immigration minister at the time, sent out his idea in a memo to then-prime minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a summit with Macron. Once again, the subject of how to “stop the boats” was on the agenda.He said: “We should be willing to make highly meaningful concessions such as offering to take one asylum seeker that has been successfully granted asylum in the French system in return for one illegal migrant that we return to them.“Or indeed more than one. It is highly probable that the certainty of return to France would quickly break the business model of the smugglers.”Sunak did not follow his minister’s advice, instead agreeing to pay France around £500 million to improve its patrols and stop the boats from setting off in the first place.With record numbers continuing to cross the Channel, it is safe to say that agreement was a failure.Starmer will hope that his own agreement with Macron will prove to be more successful than his predecessors. If it is, he may have cause to thank Robert Jenrick.Related...Emmanuel Macron Blames Brexiteers For Small Boats Crisis After Striking Migrant Deal With StarmerWhat Is Expected To Be In Starmer And Macron's 'One-In, One-Out' Migrant Deal?Emmanuel Macron Takes Aim At Brexit And Tells UK: 'You Were Stronger With The European Union'

Comments

Breaking news

Last moments of man who ran towards plane and died after falling into jet engine

Metro

Katie Knowles, 35, reveals she's undergone a hysterectomy as she opens up about suffering years of 'unbearable pain' - just weeks after tying the knot with Nick, 62

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Neighbours' veterans Annie Jones and Stefan Dennis support fellow cast as they share an emotional final day on set after 40 years on air

about 2 hours ago

The Salt Path author has next book delayed, publishers reveal, after 'intrusive conjecture' over husband's health

Dailymail

Lostprophets guitarist speaks out about band's 'painful' end - 13 years after shamed singer Ian Watkins was jailed for vile child sex abuse crimes

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

The best no-cook dinner recipes to help you survive a heatwave (and they only have four ingredients!)

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Oasis' kids prove they're closer than ever as Liam and Noel Gallagher's offspring reunite for 'pic of the century' ahead of fathers' first Manchester show

about 2 hours ago

Dailymail

Donald Trump could be denied privilege of addressing Parliament in second state visit, unlike Emmanuel Macron, after Labour MP protests

about 2 hours ago

Notorious city is hit by mass overdose of terrifying NEW drug that saw two dozen struck down

Dailymail

Comments

Breaking news

Last moments of man who ran towards plane and died after falling into jet engine

Teenager ‘lucky’ to be alive after friends bury him in sand on UK beach

Trump aide waited months to unload his TruthSocial stock. Then he sold hours before ‘Liberation Day’ tanked the markets

Police officer tackles knifeman on busy street in heroic moment that won her a bravery award

Judge scolds Justice Department for 'refusal' to detail deportation plans for Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Novak Djokovic says he definitely plans to play at Wimbledon at least one more time

Authorities say 200 immigrants arrested in raids on 2 Southern California farms

One Tech Tip: 'Click-to-cancel' is over, but there are other ways to unsubscribe

Teacher banned from the classroom after twisting colleague’s nipple bar on staff night out

A Utah man dies after falling from a mountain in Glacier National Park

Appeals court tosses 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s controversial plea deal

Pope Leo’s childhood home in Chicago sells for nearly double the asking price

Atlanta man gets more than 150 years in prison for starving daughter and abusing other children

Texas floods latest: Trump surveys damage from disaster that killed 121, including Camp Mystic kids and staff

Photo highlights from Wimbledon quarterfinals and semifinals

Police reassignment at issue in case against Virginia man charged in double-killing

The Script emotional TRNSMT moment as Danny O'Donoghue pays tribute to dead bandmate

'It's a cultural moment': Oasis fans queue all day for Manchester homecoming gig

Liverpool retires number 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota

DAME ANGELA EAGLE: Historic migrant return deal shows we're replacing chaos with control

'Despicable' paedophile set dogs on animals including pet cat and filmed attacks

Duchess Sophie praises 'clear message' of mums who lost sons in Srebrenica massacre

Keir Starmer deal to return small boats migrants 'is historic breakthrough'

MIKEY SMITH: 5 unhinged Donald Trump moments as he tells Republicans to defund Elmo or else

Young Brit woman dies as Turkey liposuction and tummy tuck go horrifically wrong

Inside England Lionesses' -120C cryotherapy chamber helping heroes bounce back

Chilling moment man ran past Milan airport staff before throwing himself into engine

Katie Knowles, 35, reveals she's undergone a hysterectomy as she opens up about suffering years of 'unbearable pain' - just weeks after tying the knot with Nick, 62

Neighbours' veterans Annie Jones and Stefan Dennis support fellow cast as they share an emotional final day on set after 40 years on air

The Salt Path author has next book delayed, publishers reveal, after 'intrusive conjecture' over husband's health

The National Trust to axe 550 jobs after Rachel Reeves' tax raid budget added £10million to charity's annual wage bill

Paul McCartney, 83, gives hilarious three-word response about what fuels him onstage

Horror as loving couple are brutally executed by their son leaving family ripped apart

Suri Cruise, 19, debuts a belly button piercing when in a crop top... after finishing her first year of college

Ancient society claims Jesus' bones are hidden across two secret vaults in the US

Lostprophets guitarist speaks out about band's 'painful' end - 13 years after shamed singer Ian Watkins was jailed for vile child sex abuse crimes

The best no-cook dinner recipes to help you survive a heatwave (and they only have four ingredients!)

Oasis' kids prove they're closer than ever as Liam and Noel Gallagher's offspring reunite for 'pic of the century' ahead of fathers' first Manchester show

Donald Trump could be denied privilege of addressing Parliament in second state visit, unlike Emmanuel Macron, after Labour MP protests

Notorious city is hit by mass overdose of terrifying NEW drug that saw two dozen struck down

BORIS JOHNSON: Channel migrants are shock troops recruited by Emmanuel Macron for his jihad against Brexit

Village GP is struck off after sending barrage of abuse to female colleague in drunken late-night phone calls

Serena Williams shows off her ripped physique in photos from gym session as sister Venus makes tennis comeback

Millions face hosepipe bans as UK heatwave reaches 34.7C

Liverpool to retire number 20 in honour of Jota

Why are Forest set to take Palace's place in Europa League?

Archer return and Root's record catch - as third Test hangs in the balance

Newcastle confirm £55m signing of Forest winger Elanga

Pam Bondi and FBI’s Dan Bongino Clash Over Handling of Epstein Case

Texas Flood Survivors Recount Night of Terror at Waterfront Campgrounds

Amanda Anisimova Makes Wimbledon Final Years After Taking Extended Break

Judge Signals She Will Protect Abrego Garcia From Hasty Second Deportation

Trump Says NATO Countries Will Buy Weapons to Give to Ukraine

Novak Djokovic, I Was Wrong About You

Donald and Melania Trump share rare affectionate moment heading to Texas flood victims

Air India plane crash investigation focuses on ‘mistake’ made by pilots

Nearly 1.7m children hit by two-child benefit cap as Labour urged to scrap ‘brutal’ policy

Venus Williams accepts a wild card for the DC Open. She hasn't competed in more than a year

Death threats over Texas flooding cartoon force museum journalism event to be postponed

FTSE 100 closes winning week on the back foot