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 emphasized the impact of losing a returns agreement post-Brexit, which is believed to have aided traffickers facilitating Channel crossings.

Sir Ed highlighted the consequences of discarding agreements with EU countries, leading to the current challenges. He emphasized that the absence of these agreements, influenced by Farage, Boris Johnson, and the Conservatives, has exacerbated the situation by preventing the return of individuals.

Following Brexit, the UK’s departure from the Dublin agreement has eliminated the ability to send asylum seekers back to the first country they arrived in, creating a migration pull factor. Sir Ed condemned Farage and Johnson for their actions, attributing them to the surge in arrivals and urging accountability for the crisis.

The discussion at the conference introduced the term “Brexit boats” to describe the small vessels crossing the Channel, aiming to draw attention to the Brexit-related implications. While some critics argue the Dublin agreement would not have fully resolved the issues, Sir Ed’s stance has faced pushback, including accusations of historical revisionism from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.

Statistics reveal that during 2015-2018, the UK made significant outgoing requests under the Dublin agreement, with a relatively low acceptance rate. These figures shed light on the complexities of the asylum transfer process within the EU.

Overall, the debate surrounding the small boat crisis underscores the intricate challenges posed by Brexit and the need for nuanced solutions to address the migration issues effectively.