UK close to sealing landmark deal with France to tackle migrant crisis

It would see teams from both countries target gangs of people smugglers. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly met with French Minister for Europe Catherine Colonna on Friday and the pair vowed to complete ‘an ambitious package as soon as possible’. The Daily Express understands this will be ‘within the next week’ and the breakthrough deal is understood to include arrangements for British ‘observers’ to work in French control rooms.This would see British and French border officers using live intelligence to smash people-smuggling gangs and prevent more boats from leaving beaches in northern France.Britain is also likely to provide our cross-Channel allies with more drones to detect migrants hiding by sand dunes along their coast.Mr Cleverly and Ms Colonna also spoke about the war in Ukraine, climate change and ‘clean energy’.But, in a telling move, a joint statement between the UK and French Governments last night highlighted how close the new deal is.It said: ‘On illegal migration, they stressed the urgency of tackling all forms of illegal migration, including small boat crossings and addressing their root causes.’They welcomed the progress made towards a significant new UK-France agreement and in this respect the conclusion of an ambitious package as soon as possible.’The ministers agreed to reinforce cooperation with near neighbours, including through an early meeting of the Calais group.’ Britain is likely to provide our cross-Channel allies with more drones to detect migrants hiding (Image: Getty)Earlier this week, ministers highlighted a ‘fundamental shift’ towards warmer relations between London and Paris.Things had been icy after former Prime Minister Liz Truss said ‘the jury is out’ on whether President Emmanuel Macron was a ‘friend or foe’.As a result, a landmark deal to have British boots on French beaches was scuppered at the 11th hour during the summer, it is understood. A press release had been ­prepared announcing that up to 50 British Border Force officers were ready to be on the ground in France, the Daily Express understands.But the gaffe by Ms Truss infuriated President Macron and the announcement was cancelled.The aborted deal was to involve the UK Government paying up to £50million to the French for boosted joint patrols. The idea of having British observers in their control rooms has edged closer in recent weeks after a breakthrough in talks.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underlined the thaw between London and Paris when he captioned a photograph of himself with Mr Macron at COP27 in Egypt: ‘Friends.’Soaring Channel crossings have taken the asylum system to breaking point. Almost 40,000 people have crossed to the UK in small boats so far this year.A Home Office spokesman said: ‘Our work with the French is vital to preventing the unacceptable rise in dangerous Channel crossings. This partnership is just one part of the Government’s work on tackling illegal migration.’