The Aporia
The Aporia
Lithgow, G. (2026, September 23). Failure to stop two migrant boats in two days ‘not acceptable’ – Home Secretary. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/shabana-mahmood-home-secretary-government-dover-folkestone-b1298130.html
Lithgow, George. “Failure to stop two migrant boats in two days ‘not acceptable’ – Home Secretary.” Evening Standard, 23 Sept. 2026, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/shabana-mahmood-home-secretary-government-dover-folkestone-b1298130.html.
Lithgow, George. “Failure to stop two migrant boats in two days ‘not acceptable’ – Home Secretary.” Evening Standard, September 23, 2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/shabana-mahmood-home-secretary-government-dover-folkestone-b1298130.html.
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In late September 2025, two small boats carrying migrants landed undetected on British shores within 24 hours in Kent and Folkestone, drawing criticism from opposition figures. The first dinghy arrived in Folkestone with up to seven people, while a second boat reached Samphire Hoe near Dover the following day, where 21 individuals were detained by Border Security Command and RNLI boats. These incidents are unprecedented since September 6, 2025, as uncontrolled landings had been rare due to improved surveillance technology and resources. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered an urgent review into the events, acknowledging that even a single uncontrolled landing is unacceptable. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Mahmood of losing control over borders, while Labour's Lucy Powell admitted on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that it's impossible to stop every migrant boat. Additionally, concerns have been raised about security risks after reports emerged that a Russian national was among the migrants who landed in Dover last week.
