'Keir would make UK the asylum capital of the world': Starmer's plan for Channel crisis is mocked by Tories as they point out a 'Border Security Command' already exists, he won't vow to end crossings, and wants to axe Rwanda despite signs it can work

Keir Starmer's plan to tackle the Channel crisis was derided by Tories today as he vowed to scrap the Rwanda scheme despite evidence it already having an impact.

The Labour leader tried to get on the front foot on migration by parading Tory defector Natalie Elphicke at a speech in her Dover constituency.

He said he would ditch the 'dead horse' Rwanda scheme 'straight away' if he wins power. 

Instead he suggested a 'Border Security Command' bringing together key agencies including the MI5, the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service. 

Highlighting his experience as a former Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Keir said that there should also be new counter-terror style powers to shut off internet access and close bank accounts of suspected people-smugglers.

'We will secure Britain's borders. And we will also rebuild Britain's broken asylum system,' Sir Keir said.

However, Tories dismissed Labour's central idea as a 'rebrand' of the existing Small Boats Operational Command - and accused Sir Keir of wanting to give an 'amnesty' to thousands of would-be migrants. The Labour leader also refused to say he would stop crossings altogether, or give a target for reducing them.

The row escalated amid more signs that the Rwanda initiative is having an effect, even though no flights have taken off. 

Ireland has been complaining that large numbers of migrants are crossing the border with Northern Ireland to avoid being sent to the African state.

One migrant told Sky News he had paid smugglers £500 to be taken back to France from the UK, as he was worried about being deported to Rwanda or Iraq.

Gang bosses also reportedly moaned that they were running out of passengers as a result of the controversial policy. 

Home Secretary James Cleverly said Labour would 'create a haven for criminal gangs' and 'make the UK the asylum capital of the world'.

In his speech, Sir Keir said the Rwanda scheme is an 'absolute waste of money' and 'a gimmick, not a solution' as he detailed Labour's approach.

'They will get flights off the ground, I don't doubt that but I also don't doubt it will not work,' he said. 

His commitment was to 'ending the scheme absolutely, flights and all'. 'It is not going to work, it is an absolute waste of money. It is a gimmick, not a solution,' he said.

'I'm not prepared to have a government that is run on gimmicks.'

Sir Keir refused to give a target for reducing numbers crossing the Channel.

But he said he had 'smashed' terrorist gangs as head of the CPS and could do the same to smuggling gangs.

The Border Command would be an 'elite force, not a Cinderella service', he claimed.

'We will restore serious government to our borders, tackle this problem at source and replace the Rwanda policy permanently,' Sir Keir said.

Sir Keir said he would seek a new partnership with Europe to access real-time intelligence and that he has been to the Hague to push for a new security pact.

He said stronger powers are needed to bring smuggling gangs to justice, including powers to shut off internet access, close their bank accounts and trace their movements using intelligence agency information.

'We use the term small boats, but the boats are not for the most part that small,' Sir Keir said. 'The gangs now use dinghies on a scale way beyond anything you would see for legitimate recreational activity.'

In a message to smuggling gangs, he said: 'These shores will become hostile territory for you – we will find you. We will stop you. We will protect your victims with the Border Security Command. We will secure Britain's borders.'

'I dragged my party away from the allure of gesture politics. And I will do the same for Westminster,' he said. 

Labour has previously said it will overturn the Government's asylum ban by considering the claims of all those who have entered the UK illegally since March last year.

Mr Cleverly said: 'Rather than starting the flights and stopping the boats, Sir Keir Starmer's big new idea is an amnesty for all illegal immigrants.'

Immigration minister Michael Tomlinson said: 'Labour would scrap the Rwanda scheme even though it is working— leaving nowhere to send people whose home country is unsafe. 

'Labour would simply re-brand our Small Boats Operational Command, a dedicated unit of Border Force officers working closely with the military to stop the boats.'

He also accused Labour of wanting to expand the asylum system to accept 'tens of thousands' of claims from outside the UK, and said Sir Keir would do a deal with the EU to accept more migrants.

'Labour won't stop the boats. They want to stop the planes,' Mr Tomlinson added. 

Sir Keir was introduced by Ms Elphicke as he fleshed out plans for a 'Border Security Command' to tackle the crisis during a visit her Dover constituency.

'It's fantastic to be in your constituency, welcome to the Labour Party,' he said.

Sir Keir dismissed anger in his own ranks at the bombshell, arguing that Ms Elphicke's switch showed 'we've got a Tory party that is on its last legs... it's out of ideas' and urging people to be 'less tribal in our pursuit of a better country'. 

Ms Elphicke's dramatic crossing of the floor at PMQs on Wednesday has caused shockwaves through Labour.

She was considered on the right of the Tories, and previously slammed the Labour leader as 'Sir Softie' for his approach to Channel migration.

Sir Keir trumpeted the defection as evidence that Labour has broad appeal and can take on the Conservatives in their own core issues. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting boasted overnight that the party is talking to more prospective switchers on the government benches, with Dan Poulter already having made the change a fortnight ago.

However, critics have accused Sir Keir of turning the party into a 'dustbin' for Conservative right-wingers - while even normally staunch supporter Lord Kinnock has warned he needs to be careful who to accept.

Labour frontbencher Lisa Nandy suffered an awkward moment on the BBC's Question Time last night when the audience was asked whether Ms Elphicke was an 'asset' to her party and no-one put their hand up. 

Sir Keir's allies have been stressing that Ms Elphicke is not standing for re-election in Dover and will not have a frontbench role or be handed a peerage. Labour's candidate in Dover, Mike Tapp, also spoke at the event today.

Yesterday Ms Elphicke issued an apology for comments in which she appeared to blame victims after her husband Charlie Elphicke, whom she succeeded as Dover MP, was convicted of sexual assualt. 

Introducing her new leader today, Ms Elphicke said Labour would provide 'a fresh approach' to the issue 'that puts at its heart a commitment to border security'. 

Taking questions after the speech in Dover, Sir Keir said: 'I'm very pleased to welcome Natalie to the Labour Party. You've heard the reasons yourself why she took that very difficult step.'

He said he wanted his 'changed' party to be a place where 'reasonably minded people, whichever way they voted in the past' feel they can join

'It is an invitation that we should be less tribal in the pursuit of a better country and invite people to our party who want to join in our object of national renewal,' Sir Keir said.

Asked where he would draw the line with right-wing politicians and whether he would welcome Nigel Farage into Labour, he said 'a list of names doesn't help anyone but Nigel Farage wouldn't want to join Labour' but added that he wanted to 'bring as many people with us as possible'

Labour said its new Border Command would be bolstered by new counter- terror powers to smash the smuggling gangs.

A former police, military or intelligence chief will be appointed to lead the body and report to the Home Secretary.

Labour also said it would hire hundreds of specialist investigators, intelligence agents and cross-border police officers to work across the UK and Europe to protect the border.

The plans will be paid for by redirecting £75million of the allocated costs for the Rwanda scheme, which Labour has repeatedly vowed to scrap – even if it is working. 

Some 211 people made the journey from France to the UK on yesterday in three boats, provisional Home Office figures show.

This suggests an average of around 70 people per boat and takes the provisional total for Channel crossings in 2024 to date to 9,037.

This is up 35 per cent on this time last year, when 6,691 crossings were recorded, and a 16% rise compared to the same period in 2022 (7,801),